What is Inclusion Body Myositis?
Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is one of a group of muscle diseases known as
the inflammatory myopathies, which are characterized by chronic muscle
inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. The onset of muscle weakness in IBM
is generally gradual (over months or years) and affects both proximal (close to
the trunk of the body) and distal (further away from the trunk) muscles. Muscle
weakness may affect only one side of the body. Falling and tripping are usually
the first noticeable symptoms of IBM. For some individuals, the disorder begins
with weakness in the wrists and fingers that causes difficulty with pinching,
buttoning, and gripping objects. There may be weakness of the wrist and finger
muscles and atrophy (thinning or loss of muscle bulk) of the forearm muscles and
quadricep muscles in the legs. Difficulty swallowing occurs in approximately
half of IBM cases. Symptoms of the disease usually begin after the age of 50,
although the disease can occur earlier. IBM occurs more frequently in men than
in women.
Is there any treatment?
There is no cure for IBM, nor is there a standard course of treatment. The
disease is generally unresponsive to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive
drugs. Some evidence suggests that intravenous immunoglobulin may have a slight,
but short-lasting, beneficial effect in a small number of cases. Physical
therapy may be helpful in maintaining mobility. Other therapy is symptomatic and supportive.
What is the prognosis?
IBM is generally resistant to all therapies and its rate of progression
appears to be unaffected by currently available treatments.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and other institutes of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research relating to IBM in
laboratories at the NIH and support additional research through grants to major
medical institutions across the country. Currently funded research is exploring
patterns of gene expression among the inflammatory myopathies, the role of viral
infection as a precursor to the disorders, and the safety and efficacy of
various treatment regimens.
Organizations
Myositis Association
1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 402
Washington, DC 20036
tma@myositis.org
www.myositis.org
Tel: 202.887.0088 800.821.7356
Fax: 202.466.8940
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48201-2227
aarda@aarda.org
www.aarda.org
Tel: 586.776.3900 800.598.4668
Fax: 586.776.3903
Source: National Institutes of Health; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 1/29/2009...#6043
