Inclusion body myositis associated with celiac sprue and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

We report an unusual case of a 51-year-old woman with inclusion body myositis associated with celiac sprue and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. We propose that the presence of all three disorders together suggests that they may share an interrelated immune mechanism.

Inclusion body myositis--sensory dysfunction revealed with quantitative determination of somatosensory thresholds

In order to evaluate sensory function in inclusion body myositis (IBM), nine patients were subjected to sensibility screening and quantitative determination of somatosensory thresholds. Data were compared with results from electrophysiological examination and muscle biopsy. On sensibility screening all but one of the IBM patients had abnormal findings in hands and/or feet mostly affecting thermal sensibility. Vibratory thresholds were abnormal in five and thermal thresholds in four of the patients. Mean vibratory thresholds were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the IBM patients when compared with the controls. Significantly increased heat pain thresholds were found in hands and feet when compared with the controls while thermal thresholds were normal. Nerve conduction velocities were decreased in three patients, EMG showed both myopathic and neuropathic abnormalities in six patients. Eight patients had neuropathic abnormalities on muscle biopsy. The sensory dysfunction found suggests an affection of peripheral nerves in IBM mainly affecting large diameter myelinated nerve fibres corroborating earlier findings of a peripheral neuropathy in IBM.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome associated with inclusion body myositis

OBJECTIVE

To describe three new patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM) associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and summarize the clinical and serological picture for all six patients reported so far.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three out of 518 (0.6%) pSS patients followed in our department over a period of 15 yr (1985-2000) also presented IBM. The diagnosis was based on histological criteria. Previous reports described four more patients with IBM associated with pSS. Five out of six were females; the mean age of IBM onset was 53.3+/-14.0 yr and the disease duration 8.0+5.8 yr.

RESULTS

Four out of six patients presented IBM several years after the onset of pSS. Four out of six patients presented extraglandular manifestations, such as arthralgias, vitamin B12 deficiency, interstitial kidney disease and biliary cirrhosis. The serological picture did not differ significantly from that observed in pSS alone.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, IBM may be seen in patients with pSS and it affects predominantly women. The clinical and pathological pictures do not differ from those observed in idiopathic IBM. A common autoimmune pathway in these two diseases, but no definite conclusions can be drawn.

Comparison of weakness progression in inclusion body myositis during treatment with methotrexate or placebo

We investigated whether 5 to 20mg per week oral methotrexate could slow down disease progression in 44 patients with inclusion body myositis in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study over 48 weeks. Mean change of quantitative muscle strength testing sum scores was the primary study outcome measure. Quantitative muscle strength testing sum scores declined in both treatment groups, -0.2% for methotrexate and -3.4% for placebo (95% confidence interval = -2.5% to +9.1% for difference). There were also no differences in manual muscle testing sum scores, activity scale scores and patients' own assessments after 48 weeks of treatment. Serum creatine kinase activity decreased significantly in the methotrexate group. We conclude that oral methotrexate did not slow down progression of muscle weakness but decreased serum creatine kinase activity.

Association of inclusion body myositis with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

We present the case of a 71-year-old man with inclusion body myositis combined with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and dysphagia. Although inclusion body myositis is usually resistant to immunosuppressive therapy, this patient improved under treatment with corticosteroids. The presented case is discussed in the context of earlier reports of inclusion body myositis and lupus erythematosus.

Severe inclusion body myositis with interstitial pneumonia

We report a patient with a severe inclusion body myositis (IBM). His illness was unusual in terms of a rapid progression, high creatine kinase levels, and complication with interstitial pneumonia. He responded well to immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids, cyclosporin A, cyclophosphamide, and immunoglobulin. The present patient indicates the wide range of the disease, and that immunosuppressive agents may be useful for treatment of IBM.

[Inclusion body myositis associated with sacroidosis: a report of 3 cases]

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a severe form of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. A predominantly T CD8+ lymphocytic infiltrate, with focally non-necrotizing muscular fiber invasion, and rimmed-vacuoles are specific histological signs. A few cases of IBM associated with other dysimmune diseases have been reported, but only once with systemic sarcoidosis. We report three cases of muscular sarcoidosis associated with IBM. This very uncommon observation suggests that major complex of histocompatibility, soluble factors, cytokines and adhesion molecules could be involved. Our cases are a novel example of associated dysimmune diseases.

Peripheral neuropathy associated with hereditary and sporadic inclusion body myositis: confirmation by electron microscopy and morphometry

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a disabling myopathy affecting proximal and distal muscle groups. The involvement of peripheral nerves in IBM is still a controversial matter. In a previous morphometric study at the light microscopic level only, we described a peripheral neuropathy in sural nerve biopsies of eight patients with sporadic IBM (s-IBM). Here we present a larger series of 14 cases in which a combined muscle and nerve biopsy was available for additional electron microscopic investigation. In two of the new cases, the IBM had a hereditary background (h-IBM). The presence of neuropathy was confirmed in all 14 cases studied. Morphometry using an optic-electronic, digital evaluation system showed large variation of severity presumably due to age and coincidal factors such as diabetes mellitus or lymphoma. Ultrastructural analysis revealed a variety of changes considered to be non-specific. Signs of axonal damage predominated. In addition, there were numerous changes in Schwann cells and myelin sheaths. Neither inflammatory changes nor tubulofilamentous inclusions were detectable in the sural nerves. Peripheral neuropathy, although occasionally without apparent clinical manifestation, appears to be a common and aggravating feature in IBM; its pathogenesis, however, remains elusive.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and inclusion body myositis (IBM)

A case of a 38-year old man with a common variable immunodeficiency syndrome (CVID) is demonstrated who suffered at the same time from a histologically proven inclusion body myositis (IBM). The myositis did not resolve after institution of regular intravenous IgG infusions. This case demonstrates a very long lasting benign course of IBM. The occurrence with CVID may be a clinical hint for a viral pathogenesis of IBM. So far only two similar cases are reported in the literature.

A case of inclusion body myositis with benign monoclonal gammopathy successfully responding to repeated immunoabsorption

A 69 year old woman with inclusion body myositis is described. She presented with benign monoclonal gammopathy. She was resistant to steroid therapy, but responded to repeated immunoabsorption. Up to now, there has been no established therapy for inclusion body myositis, including IVIg. It is suggested that immunoabsorption could be an alternative therapy for inclusion body myositis, when it was accompanied by immunological abnormality.

Inclusion body myositis long after dermatomyositis: a report of two cases

Dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis are rare illnesses which appear to be distinct in clinical and pathologic features, pathogenesis, natural history, and response to therapy. We report two patients who first developed dermatomyositis, and then, after a disease-free interval of many years, developed inclusion body myositis. This may have useful therapeutic implications for patients with dermatomyositis whose illness bocomes refractory to treatment.

Dysphagia in patients with inclusion body myositis

OBJECTIVES

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an inflammatory myopathy with a 40% reported incidence of dysphagia. A protracted course, refractory to medical therapy, frequently leads to consultation with an otolaryngologist for dysphagia management. We studied the incidence, symptoms, and mechanisms of dysphagia in patients with IBM.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study of medical records and self-reported follow-up survey; dysphagia is defined as difficulty in swallowing.

MATERIALS

Twenty-two patients with biopsy-proven IBM.

RESULTS

The rate of dysphagia was more than 80% (16 of 19), twice as high as previously reported. Progressive dysphagia was associated with a significantly worse functional class. Relevant management guidelines are established, including the timing for appropriate surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Progressive dysphagia may signify more aggressive IBM or an episodic worsening in status. Recognition of the disease manifestations will afford proper patient management. Informed otolaryngologists can have a favorable impact on the dysphagia associated with IBM.

Further observations on forearm flexor weakness in inclusion body myositis

In order to further characterize and provide a possible mechanism for the asymmetrical involvement of forearm muscles in inclusion body myositis (IBM), we measured isometric hand and pinch grip strength, and forearm muscle girth on 15 IBM patients. Forearm muscle strength and girth were significantly greater on the dominant versus nondominant side: mean grip strength, 173.9 vs. 98.8 N; mean pinch strength, 47.6 vs. 29.7 N; and mean forearm girth, 22.5 vs. 19.9 cm. This observation may suggest a role for exercise in delaying the disease progression in IBM.

['Inclusion body'-myositis]

In 3 patients, a 72-year-old man, a 62-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman with weakness of respectively the quadriceps femoris, the finger flexors and the pharyngeal muscles, the diagnosis of 'inclusion body myositis' was made. This is a rare, slowly progressive skeletal muscle disorder which is more common in men and after the age of fifty. The activity of serum creatine kinase is often 2-5 times the highest normal value. The electromyogram pattern is myopathic, but can also display neuropathic changes (exclusively). Inclusion body myositis is often misdiagnosed, which can lead to an inappropriate treatment or approach. A frozen muscle biopsy is needed to make cryostat sections for demonstration of myositis with rimmed vacuoles.

Immune-mediated conditions and antibodies associated with sporadic inclusion body myositis

We reviewed 99 patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM), searching for a coexisting autoimmune disease, other conditions with altered immune function, or the presence of autoantibodies. Thirteen patients had one or more of 11 diseases with altered immune function. Forty-three patients had elevated titers of one or more of nine different, albeit nondisease-specific, autoantibodies. Twenty-five patients had dysproteinemia or dysproteinuria. We conclude that IBM is frequently associated with systemic immune disorders or nonspecific autoantibodies. Although aging may explain some of these phenomena, an altered immune function need to be considered in the pathogenesis of IBM.

Mitochondrial abnormalities and peripheral neuropathy in inflammatory myopathy, especially inclusion body myositis

Computer retrieval in a database, comprising 7,225 muscle cases, revealed that mitochondrial myopathies do not occur more frequently in inflammatory myopathies (3.74%) than in the whole series (3.69%). A more detailed study of inclusion body myositis (IBM), however, showed that severe mitochondrial alterations were apparent in about twice as many IBM cases as expected. This confirms recent studies of others although a causal relationship has thus far not been established. Identification of mitochondrial deletions by Southern blotting corresponded to the presence of severe structural abnormalities of mitochondria. Peripheral neuropathy of variable severity was noted in all cases of IBM and mitochondrial myopathy. By contrast, the association of severe mitochondrial abnormalities with polymyositis, systemic scleroderma, and vasculitis observed in some cases of the present series may be incidental or age dependent.

Hepatitis C and inclusion body myositis

Hepatitis C is known to be associated with a myriad of autoimmune diseases. Inclusion body myositis is an inflammatory myopathy of unknown etiology. We report the first case of chronic hepatitis C with inclusion body myositis.

[Inclusion body myositis]

Inclusion body myositis has been recently recognized as a clinical entity although its exact definition remains uncertain. Initially considered to be an inflammatory dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis can actually take on three specific forms: disseminated muscle atrophy and weakness, pseudopolymyositis, or pseudo-degenerative disease. Inclusion body myositis is different from non-inflammatory neuromuscular diseases with vacuoles. Abnormal deposits are seen within the muscle fiber may contain amyloid substance, beta-amyloid precursor, ubiquitin, antichymotrypsin, protein tau, apolipoprotein E and even prions. The signification of these deposits is unknown. Deletions in mitochondrial DNA have been demonstrated but do not appear to play a causal role. More and more hereditary forms are being recognized and certain may be related to an abnormality in chromosome 9.