Dysphagia in Patients with Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis: Management Challenges

Autoimmune dysphagia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Dysphagia is a complication of several autoimmune rheumatic diseases and otorhinolaryngologists are likely to be involved in the assessment and management of patients with such conditions. This review provides an update on rheumatic diseases that may cause swallowing impairment, with particular focus on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of dysphagia in these conditions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Dysphagia is a common complication of the following rheumatic diseases: idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also be a complication of rarer autoimmune conditions such as Bechet's syndrome, sarcoidosis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis. All three stages of swallowing (oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal) may be impaired in these conditions. Both medical therapy and surgical intervention play an important role in the management of autoimmune dysphagia.

SUMMARY

The investigation and management of autoimmune dysphagia requires close collaboration between rheumatologists and otorhinolaryngologists. There is a need for further research to establish standardised guidelines on the assessment and management of autoimmune dysphagia.

Quantitative muscle MRI in sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM): A prospective cohort study

Background

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is the predominant idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) in older people. Limitations of classical clinical assessments have been discussed as possible explanations for failed clinical trials, underlining the need for more sensitive outcome measures. Quantitative muscle MRI (qMRI) is a promising candidate for evaluating and monitoring sIBM.

Objective

Longitudinal assessment of qMRI in sIBM patients.

Methods

We evaluated fifteen lower extremity muscles of 12 sIBM patients (5 females, mean age 69.6, BMI 27.8) and 12 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Seven patients and matched controls underwent a follow-up evaluation after one year. Clinical assessment included testing for muscle strength with Quick Motor Function Measure (QMFM), IBM functional rating scale (IBM-FRS), and gait analysis (6-minute walking distance). 3T-MRI scans of the lower extremities were performed, including a Dixon-based sequence, T2 mapping and Diffusion Tensor Imaging. The qMRI-values fat-fraction (FF), water T2 relaxation time (wT2), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (λ1), and radial diffusivity (RD) were analysed.

Results

Compared to healthy controls, significant differences for all qMRI parameters averaged over all muscles were found in sIBM using a MANOVA (p < 0.001). In low-fat muscles (FF < 10% ), a significant increase of wT2 and FA with an accompanying decrease of MD, λ1, and RD was observed (p≤0.020). The highest correlation with clinical assessments was found for wT2 values in thigh muscles (r≤-0.634). Significant changes of FF (+3.0% ), wT2 (+0.6 ms), MD (-0.04 10 - 3mm2/s), λ1 (-0.05 10 - 3mm2/s), and RD (-0.03 10 - 3mm2/s) were observed in the longitudinal evaluation of sIBM patients (p≤0.001). FA showed no significant change (p = 0.242).

Conclusion

qMRI metrics correlate with clinical findings and can reflect different ongoing pathophysiological mechanisms. While wT2 is an emerging marker of disease activity, the role of diffusion metrics, possibly reflecting changes in fibre size and intracellular deposits, remains subject to further investigations.

Identification of distinct immune signatures in inclusion body myositis by peripheral blood immunophenotyping using machine learning models

Objective

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a progressive late-onset muscle disease characterised by preferential weakness of quadriceps femoris and finger flexors, with elusive causes involving immune, degenerative, genetic and age-related factors. Overlapping with normal muscle ageing makes diagnosis and prognosis problematic.

Methods

We characterised peripheral blood leucocytes in 81 IBM patients and 45 healthy controls using flow cytometry. Using a random forest classifier, we identified immune changes in IBM compared to HC. K-means clustering and the random forest one-versus-rest model classified patients into three immunophenotypic clusters. Functional outcome measures including mTUG, 2MWT, IBM-FRS, EAT-10, knee extension and grip strength were assessed across clusters.

Results

The random forest model achieved a 94% AUC ROC with 82.76% specificity and 100% sensitivity. Significant differences were found in IBM patients, including increased CD8+ T-bet+ cells, CD4+ T cells skewed towards a Th1 phenotype and altered γδ T cell repertoire with a reduced proportion of Vγ9+Vδ2+ cells. IBM patients formed three clusters: (i) activated and inflammatory CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell profile and the highest proportion of anti-cN1A-positive patients in cluster 1; (ii) limited inflammation in cluster 2; (iii) highly differentiated, pro-inflammatory T-cell profile in cluster 3. Additionally, no significant differences in patients' age and gender were detected between immunophenotype clusters; however, worsening trends were detected with several functional outcomes.

Conclusion

These findings unveil distinct immune profiles in IBM, shedding light on underlying pathological mechanisms for potential immunoregulatory therapeutic development.

A Practical Guide to Identify Patients With Multifocal Motor Neuropathy, a Treatable Immune-Mediated Neuropathy

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare immune-mediated motor neuropathy characterized by asymmetric weakness that preferentially affects distal upper limb muscles. The clinical features of MMN may be difficult to differentiate from motor neuron disease. Other conditions that may be mistaken for MMN include inclusion body myositis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy, focal neuropathies, and radiculopathies. A key distinguishing electrophysiologic feature of MMN is the motor nerve conduction block located at noncompressible sites. MMN is a treatable neuropathy; therefore it is important that primary care physicians are aware of the features of the disease to identify potential patients and make referrals to a neuromuscular specialist in a timely manner. This review provides an overview of the disease, highlights key differential diagnoses, and describes available treatment options for patients with MMN.

Update on the evaluation and management of dysphagia in sporadic inclusion body myositis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Dysphagia is a common symptom of sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM), affecting disease trajectory and patient quality-of-life. Despite this, it is considerably understudied. The purpose of this review is to summarize current evidence related to the evaluation and management of dysphagia in IBM. We highlight a patient case involving a multidisciplinary management approach, and we encourage continued exploration of exercises for delaying progression and improving impairments in patients with IBM and dysphagia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent investigations confirm that dysphagia in IBM is a debilitating and complex symptom that warrants timely evaluation and management. Further, they highlight the lack of validation of standardized swallowing-related metrics specifically for IBM and the limited evidence supporting a consensus of management approaches. Small scale research and clinical anecdotal data support a multidisciplinary and multipronged patient-centered approach, including rehabilitative exercise protocols, for dysphagia management in IBM.

SUMMARY

A paucity exists in the literature to effectively guide clinical decision-making for patients with IBM and dysphagia. Given this, it is our belief that a careful multidisciplinary and multipronged patient-centered approach is critical for dysphagia management in IBM. Prospective, longitudinal research on the underlying mechanisms of swallowing dysfunction using advanced and validated swallowing-related outcome measures is urgently needed.

Efficacy of endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy using a curved rigid laryngoscope in patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis: four retrospective case reviews

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) is an acquired degenerative inflammatory myopathy that leads to slowly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy of the limbs, face, and pharynx. Owing to the slow progression of the disease, the indications for surgical intervention remain unclear. Herein, we retrospectively reviewed the records of four patients with s-IBM who had undergone cricopharyngeal myotomy for severe dysphagia at our institution between 2016 and 2021. Among these, one patient underwent transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy and laryngeal suspension, as videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing revealed poor laryngeal elevation. The remaining three patients underwent endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy using a curved rigid laryngoscope. Preoperatively, the mean Hyodo score was 8 points (range: 6-10) using a flexible endoscope. The mean surgical duration was 104 min, and no severe complications were observed. Postoperatively, all patients achieved improvement in swallowing function and food intake. Moreover, swallowing function was maintained in all four patients even 6-12 months postoperatively. Cricopharyngeal myotomy may be a safe surgical procedure with the potential to improve swallowing function, and a Hyodo score of 6 may be considered a surgical indication for cricopharyngeal myotomy in patients with s-IBM.

Diagnosing and managing dysphagia in inclusion body myositis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Dysphagia is a common debilitating clinical feature of IBM. However, the impact of dysphagia in IBM has been historically overlooked. This study aimed to identify, evaluate and summarize the evidence regarding the assessment and management of dysphagia in persons with IBM undergoing treatment.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using a multiengine search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies had to employ an intervention for persons with IBM, report a swallowing outcome and be published in English. Quality assessments of the eligible studies were performed.

RESULTS

Of 239 studies found, 19 met the inclusion criteria. One study was rated as 'fair' and the rest as 'poor' quality, particularly due to the lack of published and validated swallowing assessment procedures and outcome measures. Cricopharyngeal (CP) dysfunction (12/19) was the most commonly reported swallowing abnormality. Interventions for disease management included pharmacological agents (10/19), followed by surgical (3/19), behavioral (1/19) and combined approaches (5/19). Interventions with immunosuppressants, botulinum toxin injection, balloon dilation and/or CP myotomy led to mixed and transient benefits. Few studies examining statins or behavioral therapies (primarily focused on respiratory function) showed no effects for dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

Various interventions have been reported to temporarily improve dysphagia in persons with IBM. However, these findings are based on limited and overall low-quality evidence. This study cautions against the generalization of these findings and emphasizes the need for further systematic research to improve the diagnosis and management of dysphagia in IBM.

Autoimmune Dysphagia Related to Rheumatologic Disorders: A Focused Review on Diagnosis and Treatment

Autoimmune dysphagia is defined as dysphagia caused by autoimmune processes affecting various components of the swallowing process such as muscle, neuromuscular junction, nerves, roots, brainstem, or cortex. These autoimmune causes can be classified into gastroenterological, dermatological, rheumatologic, and neurologic. Rheumatological disorders, such as scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, Behcet's disease, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, or granulomatosis with polyangiitis, have been associated with dysphagia. Autoimmune dysphagia in the context of rheumatological disorders is particularly significant because it can occur as a sole manifestation or as part of a symptom complex associated with the underlying disorder and often responds to immunosuppressive therapies. However, diagnosing autoimmune dysphagia can be challenging as it requires the exclusion of structural and primary motility disorders through procedures such as endoscopy and manometry. Early diagnosis is important to improve the quality of life and prevent significant mortality and morbidity. Management focuses on treating the underlying disease activity, and a multidisciplinary approach involving various medical specialties may be necessary to achieve success. This article aims to review the autoimmune rheumatological conditions that can lead to dysphagia and discuss the associated pathophysiological mechanisms. We also outline the clinical clues and laboratory testing methods that facilitate early diagnosis, with the goal of improving patient outcomes through timely intervention and appropriate management.

Inclusion body myositis and dysphagia. Presentation, intervention and outcome at a swallowing clinic

OBJECTIVE

This study reviewed patients with inclusion body myositis who were referred for assessment of dysphagia at a tertiary swallow clinic. It describes symptoms at presentation, imaging and management strategies.

METHOD

A retrospective review of electronic patient records was performed between 2016 and 2020.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were included, with a mean age of 72 years. Baseline modified Sydney Swallow Questionnaires identified problems with hard or dry food, food sticking, and repeated swallowing. Twenty-two patients had a Reflux Symptom Index score that could indicate significant reflux. Video swallow identified specific problems, including tongue base retraction (96 per cent) and residual pharyngeal pooling (92 per cent). Seven patients (30 per cent) had features of aspiration on imaging despite a median penetration-aspiration scale score of 2. Four patients received balloon dilatation, and two patients underwent cricopharyngeal myotomy.

CONCLUSION

This study helped to profile features of dysphagia in patients with inclusion body myositis. More evidence is needed to determine the most effective management pathway for these patients.

ENT characteristics and therapeutic results in multisystemic disorders of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy

Here we report the evaluation of the frequency of subjective and objective otolaryngologic findings and therapeutic results in 32 patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MEM) from September 2001 to June 2021. Our analysis included studying the patients’ family histories, the clinical manifestations of MEM, and the therapeutic effects of treatments. The patients’ ages ranged from 2 to 77 years, with a median age of 12.3 years. We found that MEM ENT symptoms were characterized by hearing loss, dysphagia, and facial weakness. Most cases of sensorineural hearing loss were bilateral symmetrical progressive or sudden deafness since adolescence, which were often underestimated. Associated neuromuscular symptoms required mtDNA testing. Dysphagia and facial weakness occurred preferentially in middle-aged patients, and muscle biopsies were advised. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responsetesting were more sensitive and reliable than pure tone averages for objective monitoring of pathogenesis. Administration of the mitochondrial synthase complex benefited patients with acute episodes. If patients did not fully recover and exhibitedresidual language deficits, hearing aids or cochlear implants were recommended. Counsel was given regarding synthetical treatments for facial weakness, endoscopic circopharyngealmyotomy for dysphagia, and surgical correction of ptosis. This study demonstrates that increased awareness of these symptoms is important to address appropriate interventions and avoid complications such as ablepsia, aphasia, social isolation, malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and heart failure in the setting of MEM.

Epidemiology, survival and clinical characteristics of inclusion body myositis

OBJECTIVE

We performed a population-based study on inclusion body myositis with the primary aims to define the prevalence, survival rate and incidence and to investigate the symptom profiles associated with disease duration and sex over a 33-year period.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed between 1985 and 2017 in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden were identified according to the European Neuromuscular Centre diagnostic criteria from 2011.

RESULTS

We identified 128 patients, 89 men and 39 women with the strict clinico-pathologically definition of inclusion body myositis. The prevalence was 32 per million inhabitants, 19 per million women and 45 per million men December 31st 2017. Mean incidence was 2.5 per million inhabitants and year. Mean age at symptom onset was 64.4 years with quadriceps weakness being the most common presenting symptom followed by finger flexor weakness. Dysphagia was a common presenting symptom being more frequent in women (23%) than men (10%) and was during the disease course reported in 74% of men and 84% of women. Seventy-three patients were deceased, with mean survival of 14 years from symptom onset. Survival rate from both diagnosis date and symptom onset was decreased compared to the matched population. Twenty-one percent of the patients had an additional autoimmune disease. A cross-sectional analysis of autoantibodies in 50 patients and 28 matched controls showed autoantibodies to cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A in 40% of the patients and 3.6% of controls.

INTERPRETATION

Inclusion body myositis is an autoimmune disease with decreased survival rate and with marked sex differences in both prevalence and clinical manifestations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Dysphagia as the Presenting Symptom for Inclusion Body Myositis

Dysphagia can be one of the manifestations of inflammatory myopathies (IMs). In some patients, it can be one of the presenting symptoms or the only symptom. We present a patient with dysphagia and progressive muscle weakness who was eventually diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM). Treatment with oral steroid provided no major improvement in symptoms and thus was eventually stopped. Dysphagia in IMs is associated with complications and poor prognosis. A multidisciplinary approach is needed in its diagnosis and management as this report exemplifies.

Inflammatory myopathies: shedding light on promising agents and combination therapies in clinical trials

INTRODUCTION

Due to new insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies - in short myositis - and the urgent need for new treatment options in patients who are refractory to standard therapy, multiple novel drugs have been developed and studied in clinical trials. In light of this exciting development, a critical evaluation of the present data is necessary in order to identify the best pathway to future treatment of inflammatory myopathies.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the current evidence from clinical trials in myositis and encompasses dermatomyositis, polymyositis, necrotizing myopathy, antisynthetase-syndrome, overlap myositis, and inclusion body myositis. The results of studies on new therapeutic agents are summarized, in particular larger cohort studies and randomized trials from recent years. When such data were not available, earlier and smaller representative studies were included instead.

EXPERT OPINION

Current studies in most myositis subtypes have shown positive effects of novel biologicals such as abatacept, sifalimumab, JAK-Inhibitors as well as known agents such as rituximab, but further studies are needed to confirm these observations. In inclusion body myositis, the eagerly awaited recent therapeutic trials have missed their primary endpoints, except for the phase 2 study with rapamycin, which has demonstrated significant improvements in secondary endpoints. Future trials will also need to focus on combination therapies of multiple immunomodulatory agents.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a review

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) is the umbrella term including dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), overlap myositis (OM), sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM) and necrotising autoimmune myopathy (NAM), also known as immune-mediated necrotising myopathy. There is some debate as to whether PM exists as a discrete entity, or perhaps is an overly generalising term encompassing connective tissue disease associated myositis, or OM, and the previously poorly recognised NAM. As such, PM will not be covered in detail in this review. DM, OM and NAM all present similarly, with proximal weakness and elevated creatine kinase (CK) level. By contrast, IBM preferentially involves the long finger flexors and quadriceps, and presents with a normal or only mildly elevated CK. Developments in serological testing and imaging are shifting the diagnostic paradigm away from a reliance on histopathology. The therapeutic armamentarium for IIM continues to evolve, with intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab proving to be successful for refractory disease. This review will provide a diagnostic algorithm for the clinician to help distinguish between IIM subtypes - with emphasis on clinical assessment, serology and imaging, as well as discussion of therapeutic options and escalation of immunotherapy.

Autoimmune Neurogenic Dysphagia

Autoimmune neurogenic dysphagia refers to manifestation of dysphagia due to autoimmune diseases affecting muscle, neuromuscular junction, nerves, roots, brainstem, or cortex. Dysphagia is either part of the evolving clinical symptomatology of an underlying neurological autoimmunity or occurs as a sole manifestation, acutely or insidiously. This opinion article reviews the autoimmune neurological causes of dysphagia, highlights clinical clues and laboratory testing that facilitate early diagnosis, especially when dysphagia is the presenting symptom, and outlines the most effective immunotherapeutic approaches. Dysphagia is common in inflammatory myopathies, most prominently in inclusion body myositis, and is frequent in myasthenia gravis, occurring early in bulbar-onset disease or during the course of progressive, generalized disease. Acute-onset dysphagia is often seen in Guillain–Barre syndrome variants and slowly progressive dysphagia in paraneoplastic neuropathies highlighted by the presence of specific autoantibodies. The most common causes of CNS autoimmune dysphagia are demyelinating and inflammatory lesions in the brainstem, occurring in patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Less common, but often overlooked, is dysphagia in stiff-person syndrome especially in conjunction with cerebellar ataxia and high anti-GAD autoantibodies, and in gastrointestinal dysmotility syndromes associated with autoantibodies against the ganglionic acetyl-choline receptor. In the setting of many neurological autoimmunities, acute-onset or progressive dysphagia is a potentially treatable condition, requiring increased awareness for prompt diagnosis and early immunotherapy initiation.

Anti-cN1A Antibodies Are Associated with More Severe Dysphagia in Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis

In recent years, an autoantibody directed against the 5'-citosolic nucleotidase1A (cN1A) was identified in the sera of sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) patients with widely variable sensitivity (33%-76%) and specificity (87%-100%). We assessed the sensitivity/specificity of anti-cN1A antibodies in an Italian cohort of s-IBM patients, searching for a potential correlation with clinical data. We collected clinical data and sera from 62 consecutive s-IBM patients and 62 other inflammatory myopathies patients. Testing for anti-cN1A antibodies was performed using a commercial ELISA. Anti-cN1A antibodies were detected in 23 s-IBM patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 37.1% with a specificity of 96.8%. Positive and negative predictive values were 92.0% and 60.6%, respectively. We did not find significant difference regarding demographic variables, nor quadriceps or finger flexor weakness. Nevertheless, we found that anti-cN1A-positive patients presented significantly lower scores in IBMFRS item 1 (swallowing, p = 0.045) and more frequently reported more severe swallowing problems, expressed as an IBMFRS item 1 score ≤ 2 (p < 0.001). We confirmed the low sensitivity and high specificity of anti-cN1A Ab in s-IBM patients with a high positive predictive value. The presence of anti-CN1A antibodies identified patients with a greater risk of more severe dysphagia.

Epidemiology and Natural History of Inclusion Body Myositis: A 40-Year Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and natural history of sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) and to test the hypothesis that patients with sIBM have higher cancer or mortality rates than the general population.

METHODS

We sought patients with sIBM defined by the 2011 European Neuromuscular Centre (ENMC) diagnostic criteria among Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents in 40-year time period.

RESULTS

We identified 20 patients (10 clinicopathologically defined, 9 clinically defined, and 1 probable) according to the ENMC criteria and 1 patient with all features of clinicopathologically defined sIBM except for symptom onset at <45 years of age. The prevalence of sIBM in 2010 was 18.20 per 100,000 people ≥50 years old. Ten patients developed cancers. The incidence of cancers in sIBM did not differ from that observed in the general population (odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.639-5.613, p = 0.24). Two-thirds of patients developed dysphagia, and half required a feeding tube. Nine patients required a wheelchair. The median time from symptom onset to wheelchair dependence was 10.5 (range 1-29) years. Overall life expectancy was shorter in the sIBM group compared to the general population (84.1 [95% CI 78-88.4] vs 87.5 [95% CI 85.2-89.5] years, p = 0.03). Thirteen patients died; 9 deaths were sIBM related (7 respiratory and 2 unspecified sIBM complications). Female sex (p = 0.03) and dysphagia (p = 0.05) were independent predictors of death.

CONCLUSION

Olmsted County has the highest prevalence of sIBM reported to date. Patients with sIBM have similar risk of cancer, but slightly shorter life expectancy compared to matched patients without sIBM.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class II evidence that patients with sIBM have similar risks of cancers and slightly shorter life expectancy compared to controls.

Cricopharyngeal Myotomy in Inclusion Body Myositis: Comparison of Endoscopic and Transcervical Approaches

OBJECTIVE

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a progressive inflammatory myopathy with dysphagia as a debilitating sequalae. Otolaryngologists are consulted for surgical candidacy when there are findings of cricopharyngeal dysfunction. We aim to compare transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy (TCPM) versus endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy (ECPM) in the IBM population with particular focus on objective swallow study outcomes, complications, and recurrence rates.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed on IBM patients who underwent TCPM or ECPM (1981-2020) in the Department of Otolaryngology at a tertiary academic center with a high volume IBM referral base. Videofluoroscopic swallow studies, Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), and Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS) were collected at preoperative and follow-up visits. Baseline patient characteristics, intraoperative data, and postoperative course were recorded.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients were identified (18 TCPM; 23 ECPM). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates, complications, hospitalization length, operative time, or return to preoperative diet between approaches. For the 12 patients (11 ECPM; 1 TCPM) that had subjective swallow data, there was a statistically significant difference in the pre and postoperative scores for EAT-10, RSI, and FOSS (P < .05). There was a statistically significant improvement in the degree of narrowing between pre and postoperative imaging for both approaches (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Both TCPM and ECPM are safe approaches for the management of dysphagia in patients with IBM with objective evidence of cricopharyngeal dysfunction. Cricopharyngeal myotomy is a durable technique that has demonstrated improved subjective and objective outcomes in this patient population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2426-E2431, 2021.

Impact and Management of Dysphagia in Inflammatory Myopathies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Dysphagia is a common symptom in inflammatory myopathies. This review provides an overview on the epidemiology, clinical impact, and management of dysphagia in myositis. Relevant diagnostic tools and treatment strategies are discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Dysphagia can occur in any inflammatory myopathy, particularly in inclusion body myositis (IBM). It can lead to malnutrition or aspiration with subsequent pneumonia or even death. Dysphagia can be explored and monitored by patient-reported outcome scales for swallowing. New diagnostic tools such as real-time MRI and oro-pharyngo-esophageal scintigraphy have been studied for assessing dysphagia. Botulinum toxin injection can alleviate dysphagia in IBM. High-dose glucocorticosteroids are considered a first-line treatment for dysphagia in all other myositis subforms. Evaluation of dysphagia in myositis requires thorough clinical workup and appropriate instrumental procedures. Treatment options are available for dysphagia, but controlled trials and consensus on best patient care are required for this important symptom.

Myopathies featuring early or prominent dysphagia

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist regarding myopathies with early or prominent dysphagia.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed (January 2003 to August 2019) to identify myopathy patients in whom dysphagia was the initial symptom or was disproportionately severe compared with limb weakness.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 65 y (range, 36-80 y). Inclusion body myositis (IBM) (n = 15), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) (n = 5), and oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (n = 4), were the most common diagnoses. In 4 patients (3 IMNM and 1 nonspecific myositis) dysphagia evolved rapidly. At evaluation, 21 patients required diet alterations, 5 required feeding tubes, and 8 had aspiration pneumonia. Follow-up data were available for 20 patients (median, 24 mo). Eight patients received immunosuppressive therapies with improvement in 7, including 3 of 4 with rapidly progressive dysphagia.

CONCLUSIONS

IBM and IMNM accounted for approximately two-thirds of patients with early or prominent dysphagia at our institution. Rapidly progressive dysphagia may predict immunotherapy responsiveness.