Univariate analysis of risk factors for malignancy in DM patients demonstrated that Gottron's sign (35.77% vs 52.31%; P = .02), dysphagia (26.28% vs 38.46%; P = .04), ALB reduction (43.38% vs 47.69%; P = .003), AST (51.82% vs 58.46%; P = .03), creatine kinase–MB (48.91% vs 58.46%; P = .02), absence of fever (35.04% vs 20.0%; P = .02), arthralgia (33.58% vs 16.92%; P = .04) and ILD (42.34% vs 23.08%; P = .05) were the predictors of malignancy. This evidence concerns the gene ALB and dermatomyositis.