Treatment of the inflammatory myopathies: update and practical recommendations

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2009 May;10(7):1183-90. doi: 10.1517/14656560902913815.

Abstract

Background: The inflammatory myopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases including dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis. Clinical trials in myositis are rare, making it difficult to make clear recommendations on the treatment of these rare disorders.

Objective: To give an overview of treatment options and strategies and to provide the clinician with a framework that can be used in treating patients with myositis.

Methods: Results of clinical trials in myositis, case series and important case reports are presented and discussed.

Results/conclusion: Most patients with dermatomyositis or polymyositis require treatment with oral high-dose prednisone combined with azathioprine or methotrexate to facilitate early tapering of prednisone. In case of treatment failure, intravenous immunoglobulin can be tried, followed by rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil, or tacrolimus depending on the specific clinical situation. A treatment trial with oral prednisone combined with methotrexate is advised in a subgroup of patients with inclusion body myositis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Myositis / classification
  • Myositis / drug therapy*
  • Myositis / etiology
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Rituximab