title: Inflammatory myopathies in Nigerians: case series and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic Inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are rare connective tissue diseases and have been rarely reported among Nigerians:
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the clinical, laboratory and electromyographic characteristics of Nigerian patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, patients attending a private practice rheumatology clinic in Lagos and fulfilling the Bohan and Peter's criteria for polymyositis and dermatomyositis were examined and common causes of proximal muscle weakness were excluded. Haematological, biochemical, serological and electromyographic studies were carried out. Patients were treated with standard drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients (F-13, M-1) were diagnosed with Polymyositis (PM) and Dermatomyositis (DM). Seven had probable PM, 4 with possible PM and 3 with probable DM. Mean age was 35 years (range 22-54) ESR was markedly raised mean 105/min (26-150). Muscle and liver enzymes were raised in all patients. Creatinine kinase median 1134 (29-10,166); lactic dehydrogenase median 477 (209-787); ALT 43 (19-233); AST 136 (25-725). Serology for ANF was positive in eight patients; Anti Jo1 in 1 out of 9 while Anti Mi2 was negative in all tested. EMG in 6 tested showed myopathic pattern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inflammatory myopathies are rare among Nigerians but a heightened awareness is needed for diagnosis and management.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. femiadelowo2003@yahoo.com
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adelowo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Nigeria.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Edomwonyi
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Olaosebikan
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate