What is autoimmune inflammatory myopathy

The inflammatory myopathies aare a group of diseases that involve chronic (long-standing) muscle inflammation, muscle weakness, and, in some cases, muscle pain. Myopathy is a general medical term used to describe a number of conditions affecting the muscles. All myopathies cause muscle weakness.

How is autoimmune myopathy diagnosed?

In patients with suspected autoimmune myopathy, muscle imaging, electrophysiologic examination, and serologic studies can be used to confirm the diagnosis. When present, dermatomyositis-specific autoantibodies may help to identify patients with different disease subtypes.

Can inflammatory myopathy be cured?

Myositis (my-o-SY-tis) is a rare type of autoimmune disease that inflames and weakens muscle fibers. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's own immune system attacks itself. In the case of myositis, the immune system attacks healthy muscle tissue, which results in inflammation, swelling, pain, and eventual weakness.

What autoimmune disease causes muscle inflammation?

Inflammatory myopathies are rare. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis occur in about one person per 100,000. All ages can get these diseases. The peak time to get them, though, is ages 5 to 10 in children, and 40 to 50 in adults.