PATIENT FACT SHEET Myopathies

Inflammatory PATIENT FACT SHEET Myopathies

Inflammatory myopathies are muscle diseases caused skin rashes also. Muscle pain is not a common symptom. by inflammation. They are autoimmune diseases where Some people can have breathing problems. the body’s immune system attacks its own muscles by People of all ages and races may get inflammatory mistake. The most common inflammatory myopathies are myopathies, but they’re rare. Children usually get them polymyositis and dermatomyositis. between ages 5 and 10. Adults usually get these diseases CONDITION Inflammatory myopathies cause muscle weakness, usually between 40 and 50. Women get inflammatory myopathies DESCRIPTION in the neck, shoulders and hips. Dermatomyositis causes twice as often as men.

The most common sign of inflammatory myopathies is • Shortness of breath weakness in the large muscles of the shoulders, neck or • Cough hips. Inflammation damages tissue so you lose strength Dermatomyositis causes skin rashes that look like red or in these muscles. Inflammatory myopathies may cause purple spots on the eyelids, or scaly, red bumps on the problems like these: elbows, knuckles or knees. Children may also have white • Trouble climbing stairs, lifting objects over your head spots on their skin called calcinosis or vasculitis, a blood or getting out of a seat vessel inflammation that causes skin lesions. SIGNS/ • Choking while eating or intake of food into the lungs SYMPTOMS

Diagnosing inflammatory myopathies starts with (Deltasone, Orasone), to reduce inflammation. Muscle a muscle strength exam. A rheumatologist may also enzymes usually return to normal at 4 to 6 weeks, and do blood tests to measure certain muscle enzymes or strength returns in 2 to 3 months. myositis-specific antibodies. An electromyogram (EMG) Your doctor may add methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall, can measure electrical activity in the muscles. You may Orastrup, Rasuvo) or azathioprine (Imuran) to your need a muscle biopsy or an MRI to look for muscle damage. treatment plan for long-term disease control. Some These diseases may be linked to cancer, so tests to rule out patients with severe disease may need intravenous cancer may be needed too. COMMON immunoglobulin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), TREATMENTS The first treatment for inflammatory myopathies is tacrolimus (Prograf), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) a highdose, oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone or rituximab (Rituxan).

Good health habits are important for long-term swallowing, eat soft foods or puree solid foods in a management of inflammatory myopathies. Eat a blender. To prevent choking if you are bedbound, sit healthy, well-balanced diet, get regular exercise and stay up in bed to eat. at a healthy weight. Corticosteroids can cause serious side effects like high People with dermatomyositis should use sun protection blood pressure, weight gain, thinning skin or bruising, CARE/ so rashes don’t worsen. Limit your time outdoors and cataracts or osteoporosis. Get regular exams to watch MANAGEMENT use sunscreen when you go outside. If you have trouble for or treat these problems. TIPS

Updated March 2019 by Vaneet Sandhu, MD, and reviewed by the American College of Rheumatology © 2019 American College of Rheumatology Committee on Communications and Marketing. This information is provided for general education only. Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment of a medical or health condition.