Myositis Mimics

Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015 Oct;17(10):63. doi: 10.1007/s11926-015-0541-0.

Abstract

Patients with autoimmune myositis typically present with muscle weakness, elevated serum levels of muscle enzymes, and abnormal muscle biopsies. However, patients with other acquired myopathies or genetic muscle diseases may have remarkably similar presentations. Making the correct diagnosis of another muscle disease can prevent these patients from being exposed to the risks of immunosuppressive medications, which benefit those with myositis, but not those with other types of muscle disease. Here, we review some of the most common acquired and inherited muscle diseases that can mimic autoimmune myositis, including inclusion body myositis, limb girdle muscular dystrophies, metabolic myopathies, mitochondrial myopathies, and endocrine myopathies. We emphasize aspects of the medical history, physical exam, laboratory evaluation, and muscle biopsy analysis that can help clinicians distinguish myositis mimics from true autoimmune myositis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endocrine System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type II / diagnosis
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type V / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Myopathies / diagnosis
  • Muscular Dystrophies / diagnosis
  • Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle / diagnosis
  • Myositis / diagnosis*
  • Myositis, Inclusion Body / diagnosis

Supplementary concepts

  • Dysferlinopathy
  • Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A