The term “myopathy” refers to muscle diseases, some of which arise when the immune system attacks the muscles, triggering inflammation and muscle pain. Inflammatory myopathies, such as polymyositis and dermatomyositis, have symptoms such as weakness in large muscle groups around the neck, shoulders and hips, difficulty performing everyday activities such as climbing stairs or getting up from a chair, mild muscle pain , suffocation when eating or aspiration of food into the lungs, as well as difficulty breathing and coughing. Dermatomyositis adds to this symptomatology skin rashes, manifesting as purple or red spots on eyelids, scaly bumps on knuckles, elbows or knees, and white calcium deposits on the skin known as calcinosis, especially in children with the disease .
In some cases, amyopathic dermatomyositis presents with skin rashes without signs of muscle disease, and those affected may experience lung inflammation, cough and difficulty breathing.
What causes myopathies and who can suffer from them?
The causes of myopathies are varied, from infections and muscle injuries from drugs to hereditary diseases, electrolyte disturbances and thyroid problems. Inflammatory myopathies, uncommon, affect about one in 100,000 people and can arise at any stage of life, with a peak between the ages of 5 and 10 in children and between the ages of 40 and 50 in adults. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from inflammatory myopathies, and these affect people of all ethnic groups, with no possibility of prediction.
How are myopathies diagnosed?
The diagnosis of a myopathy is considered when patients report difficulty in tasks that require muscle strength, have rashes, or experience breathing problems. Muscle strength assessments and a series of tests, including blood tests, electromyograms, muscle biopsies, and MRIs, are used to confirm the diagnosis and obtain information about the severity and, in adults, its possible relationship with cancer
How are myopathies treated?
Treatment, led by specialist rheumatologists, often involves the use of oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation and restore muscle strength within months. In more complex cases, medications such as methotrexate or mycophenolate can be combined for more extensive control and to prevent long-term side effects, such as weight gain and osteoporosis. For severe or unresponsive variants, options such as intravenous administration of immunoglobulin or immunosuppressive medications such as rituximab are explored.
Physiotherapy and exercise also play an essential role in treatment, adapting to the patient’s condition and promoting active living. Living with myopathy involves long-term management, where a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and sun protection are critical to continued well-being. It is crucial that those close to those suffering from myopathy understand the limitations derived from muscle weakness in order to provide effective support in day-to-day life.
