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Musculoskeletal - Polymyositis
In this episode, we review polymyositis, a rare autoimmune inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetric proximal muscle weakness. We break down the T-cell–mediated pathophysiology, key clinical features such as difficulty climbing stairs or lifting arms, and important distinctions from dermatomyositis. The discussion highlights diagnostic strategies—including elevated creatine kinase levels, autoantibodies, EMG findings, and the role of muscle biopsy—as well as evidence-based treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy.
References
1) Bushardt RL, Colomb-Lippa DM, Klinger AM, Reed H. The JAAPA QRS Review for PAs: Study Plan and Guide for PANCE and PANRE. 1st ed. LWW; 2021. ISBN: 9781975143817.
2) Connolly CM, Gupta L, Fujimoto M, Machado PM, Paik JJ. Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: current insights and future frontiers The Lancet Rheumatology. 2024; 6(2):e115-e127.
3) Baig S, Paik JJ. Inflammatory muscle disease – An update Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2020; 34(1):101484-.
4) Lundberg IE, Fujimoto M, Vencovsky J, Aggarwal R, Holmqvist M, Christopher-Stine L, Mammen AL, Miller FW. Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021 Dec 2;7(1):86. doi: 10.1038/s41572-021-00321-x. PMID: 34857798.
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By Kristopher Maday, PA-C, DFAAPAIn this episode, we review polymyositis, a rare autoimmune inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetric proximal muscle weakness. We break down the T-cell–mediated pathophysiology, key clinical features such as difficulty climbing stairs or lifting arms, and important distinctions from dermatomyositis. The discussion highlights diagnostic strategies—including elevated creatine kinase levels, autoantibodies, EMG findings, and the role of muscle biopsy—as well as evidence-based treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy.
References
1) Bushardt RL, Colomb-Lippa DM, Klinger AM, Reed H. The JAAPA QRS Review for PAs: Study Plan and Guide for PANCE and PANRE. 1st ed. LWW; 2021. ISBN: 9781975143817.
2) Connolly CM, Gupta L, Fujimoto M, Machado PM, Paik JJ. Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: current insights and future frontiers The Lancet Rheumatology. 2024; 6(2):e115-e127.
3) Baig S, Paik JJ. Inflammatory muscle disease – An update Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2020; 34(1):101484-.
4) Lundberg IE, Fujimoto M, Vencovsky J, Aggarwal R, Holmqvist M, Christopher-Stine L, Mammen AL, Miller FW. Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021 Dec 2;7(1):86. doi: 10.1038/s41572-021-00321-x. PMID: 34857798.