Abstract
Although muscle diseases are relatively rare, several treatable myopathies must be
recognized by the clinician to maximize the possibility of restoring strength in affected
patients. The inflammatory myopathies, including polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inflammatory
necrotizing myopathy, and myositis in association with mixed connective tissue disease,
typically respond well to immunosuppressive treatment. Inclusion body myositis, a
myopathy that has features of both inflammation and primary degeneration, may not
be treatable at this time, but treatments are actively being sought. Muscle dysfunction
caused by toxins must also be recognized because removal of the offending toxin usually
results in restoration of normal muscle function. Important muscle toxins include
cholesterol-lowering medications, colchicine, zidovudine, corticosteroids, emetine,
and ethanol.
Keywords
myositis - polymyositis - dermatomyositis - inclusion body myositis - necrotizing
myopathy - toxic myopathy - cholesterol-lowering agent myopathy
