Inflammatory Myopathies Flashcards
what are the two types of inflammatory myopathies that we learned
polymyositis
dermatomyositis
what are the general features of inflammatory myopathies
progresive and SYMMETRIC muscle weakness
PROXIMAL muscle weakness
facial muscles unaffected
can have dysphagia or head drop
where does the weakness start in polymyositis
in legs
how long does it take for polymyositis to progress
weeks to months
what happens to the CK levels in polymyositis
elevated
what is dermatomyositis
characteristic rash with accompanying muscle weakness
what is heliotropic hue
blue/purple discoloration of the upper lids with edema
what is gottron’s sign
flat red rash on the face, upper trunk, and erythema of the knuckles with a raised violaceous scaley eruption
what is the V sign
erythematous rash on the neck and anterior chest, worse after sun exposure
what can accompany dermatomyositis (overlap)
with scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease
what do the white blood cells do in inflammatory myopathies
invade muscles
what are the labs like for inflammatory myopathies
elevated CK
+Jo antibody (SPECIFIC MYOSITIS ANTIBODY)
EMG-
MRI of the affected muscle shows inflammation
muscle biopsy is the confirmation + inflammation (lymphocytes invading the muscle fibers)
what is the treatment for inflamm myopathies
corticosteriods
other immunosuppressive agents if patient fails 3 month steriod trial
Immunomodulation: IVIg
PT
what happens to the CK when the muscle strength improves
the CK decreases
