Inclusion body myositis

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Written by Dr S Hammans (Consultant Neurologist) Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

Contents:


What is inclusion body myositis?

Inclusion body myositis is a disease of muscle that causes muscles to become thin and weak. It was recognised as a disease in its own right in the 1960s. It usually occurs in middle to late life and is more common in men than women. We don’t know how many people in the UK are affected but it is the most common muscle disease diagnosed after the age of 50. Nevertheless, it is sufficiently rare that most general practitioners will not have looked after patients with inclusion body myositis before, and many doctors will not have heard of the condition.

How will it affect me?

Inclusion body myositis is a slowly progressive condition causing a gradual deterioration in muscle strength over the years. Most limb muscles can be affected. In particular, the quadriceps (the thigh muscles that extend the knee joint) and forearm muscles (that flex the wrists and fingers) are commonly weak. Accordingly, patients often notice difficulty with stairs, getting out of a chair and they may have a poor grip. Swallowing muscles are affected in some patients, but most do not encounter severe swallowing problems. The disease typically does not affect muscles of the heart, eye, gut or bladder. It also does not affect the function of the brain or sensation, and speech is rarely affected. In general, patients do not die of the disease, but most meet with some degree of disability as the disease progresses.

The disease itself is painless. However, weakened muscles can predispose to injuries affecting bones, joints and soft tissues.

What causes it?

The short answer is that no one knows! A number of theories have been put forward over the years though none have stood the test of time. In some families the condition is inherited, often with earlier onset than the more common sporadic (non-inherited) form. The presence of inflammatory cells in some muscle samples has led to the theory that muscle is damaged by inflammation, caused by a virus or a misdirected immune system.

No conclusive evidence to support these theories has been provided. Efforts to suppress the immune system have not led to clear benefit. More recently it has been suggested that inclusion body myositis is primarily a degenerative disease of muscle with inflammation only secondary to this process. Many researchers in several countries continue to accumulate evidence to shed light on the cause of the disease.

How is it diagnosed?

There are a number of pieces of evidence that go together to make the diagnosis of inclusion body myositis:

Blood test: When muscles are damaged they release a protein into the blood stream called creatine kinase. This can be detected in a routine blood sample. In some people with inclusion body myositis the level of this protein in the blood is slightly raised. This blood test may therefore alert the physician to the possibility of muscle disease.

Electromypgraphy (EMG): When healthy muscle contract they fire off a co-ordinated pattern of electrical impulses that can be detected by a tiny needle positioned in the muscle. When sick muscles contract abnormal electrical impulses can be detected. However, although EMG may be helpful it cannot make a definite diagnosis.

Muscle biopsy: The definitive test for inclusion body myositis is a muscle biopsy. The biopsy involves taking a small sample of muscle under local anaesthetic. Laboratory analysis includes a series of stains and reactions, used to highlight different parts of the muscle. In inclusion body myositis, muscle cells appear damaged. The hallmark of the condition is the inclusion body, which is an abnormal clump of proteins seen in damaged cells. This appearance will allow the pathologist and clinician to confirm the diagnosis of inclusion body myositis.

Because of the indolent nature of muscle weakness in inclusion body myositis, a diagnosis is sometimes delayed for years after the onset of weakness. In some patients, the initial biopsy may not disclose the diagnosis, and a second biopsy may be necessary.

In other forms of myositis steroid treatment may be helpful. If steroids fail to help then this may give rise to consideration of inclusion body myositis as a possible diagnosis.

Are other family members at risk of inclusion body myositis?

Every patient requires individual assessment. The inherited form appears to be rare in the UK. However, if inclusion body myositis is of typical age of onset without evidence of similar disease previously in the family, the risk to other members of the family is very small.

Is there any treatment?

The presence of inflammatory cells in some biopsies led to suggestions that steroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system might be beneficial in this condition. This immunosuppressant treatment is controversial. Some neurologists are of the opinion that these drugs can give short-term improvement and possibly long-term benefit in slowing the rate of progression, although all agree that these drugs will not prevent muscles from continuing to weaken in the long-term. Other experts argue that any benefits are transient and are outweighed by long-term side effects from the drugs.

Recent trials have studied intravenous infusions of human immunoglobulin (IVIG) in people with inclusion body myositis. Results have been contradictory, but provide no firm evidence of enduring benefit. Further trials continue, but currently the costs and side-effects do not justify routine treatment of inclusion body myositis patients with IVIG.

In summary, there is currently no proven treatment. Further research into the cause of the disease will hopefully allow a rational basis to develop effective therapies.

What other help is there?

Despite the absence of a cure for inclusion body myositis there are a number of therapies that can help:

Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is not able to make weak muscles strong again. However, appropriate exercises can help to maximise the efficiency of the relatively unaffected muscles. When walking is affected physiotherapists can advise on walking aids (sticks etc). Physiotherapists can also teach people how to transfer between chairs, beds and wheelchairs if and when they become necessary.

Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists (OTs) can provide advice and equipment to assist in tasks that become increasingly difficult with weakened muscles. More than any other professional they are in a position to provide valuable help in overcoming the everyday practical problems that patients with inclusion body myositis face. Typically they will observe a patient in their own home before advising on strategies, aids and equipment. Examples include cutlery with chunky handles to make gripping easier, aids to help stair climbing and advice on bathing or showering difficulties. Occupational therapists are employed in hospitals and by Social Services. Referral to occupational therapists can be made by hospital doctors, GPs or patients themselves through Social Services.

Speech therapy: Speech therapists also have expertise in swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). In some patients with inclusion body myositis weakened swallowing muscles may cause dysphagia. This may cause fragments of food or drink to enter the windpipe resulting in coughing after meals or chest infections. Some patients with inclusion body myositis reduce their food intake, resulting in significant weight loss and so speech therapists can advise on strategies to help swallowing. Occasionally it is necessary to use other techniques to give adequate nutrition.

Can I help myself in any other way?

Exercise is generally helpful, and helps to get the most out of diseased muscles. Falls and injuries however can cause substantial disability. Patients therefore have the difficult task of undertaking regular exercise within their capability but avoiding injury through accident. Because weakened muscles cannot carry an excess load, keeping to an ideal weight is helpful. This may be obvious, but weight control is more difficult when exercise is limited.

It is likely that in the future therapeutic trials of drugs in inclusion body myositis will be organised. If you are interested in taking part you should mention this to your physician.

Myositis Support Group

146 Newtown Road
Woolston
Southampton
SO19 9HR

Tel: 023 8044 9708
Email: msg@myositis.org.uk
Website: www.myositis.org.uk


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