What Is Inclusion Body Myositis?

Inclusion body myositis is a chronic condition affecting the muscles.

Inclusion body myositis is one of a group of muscle diseases known as the inflammatory myopathies, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It is characterized by chronic, progressive muscle inflammation and weakness and may be accompanied by a number of complications. A small amount of cases may be hereditary, but most are "sporadic," meaning there is no direct genetic link, according to The Myositis Association. As of June 2010, the cause is unknown and the condition has no cure.

First Signs

Falls and trips are often the first noticeable signs of inclusion body myositis, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Some sufferers first notice a weakness in their wrists and fingers that affects their grip and manual dexterity. Trouble climbing stairs or rising from a seated position, feet that seem to drop when walking and difficulty swallowing can also be early signs, according to The Myositis Association.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a weakness of the muscles that gets progressively worse. The weakness may affect only one side of the body, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Inclusion body myositis commonly affects the quadriceps or thigh muscles, the forearm muscles, the flexor muscles of the fingers and the muscles below the knee. Sufferers may experience pain and atrophy, or wasting of the muscles, as they deteriorate.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing myositis can be difficult, as other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Doctors may use regular blood tests to look for elevated levels of muscle enzymes. A biopsy may show abnormalities in muscles, including inflammation, damage and abnormal proteins. Muscle resonance imaging scans (MRI) and electromyograms (EMG) may reveal changes in the muscles. More involved blood tests may also reveal myositis-associated antibodies and confirm a diagnosis, according to The Myositis Association.

Complications

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, affects approximately half of inclusion body myositis sufferers, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This can result in choking episodes and is a significant cause of death from respiratory complications, according to the website Inclusion Body Myositis. Injuries caused by trips and falls are a significant danger, and lifestyle complications such as weight gain and bedsores may affect sufferers as their mobility decreases.

Treatment

There is no known cure and no standard course of treatment for inclusion body myositis, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Physical therapy may help with mobility issues, while other treatments may help alleviate pain and other associated symptoms.

References

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Inclusion Body Myositis Information Page
• Inclusion Body Myositis: Potential Complications
• The Myositis Association: Types of Myositis
• The Myositis Association: Inclusion Body Myositis