Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are systemic autoimmune disorders characterized by muscular inflammation, leading to proximal muscle weakness and poor muscular endurance. Extramuscular manifestations are common and may affect the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and heart. Myositis-specific antibodies aid in the classification of patients and correlate with specific clinical phenotypes. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications are the mainstay of treatment, although exercise recently has been shown to be an integral part of the management of IIMs.