Inflammatory Myopathies
Introduction Inflammatory myopathies are a group of rare diseases that cause muscle inflammation and weakness. They are autoimmune diseases. Common types include polymyositis, dermatomyositis and Inclusion body myositis. What are the features of Inflammatory Myopathies? Polymyositis is a rare disease Ocular and facial muscle weakness present in polymyositis Dermatomyositis occurs in children and adults Inclusion body myositis (IBM) present in 30-to-40 year of age Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level may be normal Bohan & Peter Diagnostic Criteria For Dermatomyositis / Polymyositis Symmetric proximal muscle weakness Elevated muscle enzyme creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels A myopathic pattern on electromyogram (EMG) Evidence of an endomysial, mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate on muscle biopsy Characteristic skin rash of dermatomyositis (Heliotrope rash or Gottron’s papules) For Definite Polymyositis: All first four criteria must be present For Definite Dermatomyositis: Charac...