title: Inflammatory and toxic myopathy.
abstract: Although muscle diseases are relatively rare, several treatable myopathies must be recognized by the clinician to maximize the possibility of restoring strength in affected patients. The inflammatory myopathies, including polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inflammatory necrotizing myopathy, and myositis in association with mixed connective tissue disease, typically respond well to immunosuppressive treatment. Inclusion body myositis, a myopathy that has features of both inflammation and primary degeneration, may not be treatable at this time, but treatments are actively being sought. Muscle dysfunction caused by toxins must also be recognized because removal of the offending toxin usually results in restoration of normal muscle function. Important muscle toxins include cholesterol-lowering medications, colchicine, zidovudine, corticosteroids, emetine, and ethanol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5036, USA. jteener@med.umich.edu
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Teener
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents