Assessment of inpatients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: A 10-year single unit experience

Abstract

Background: The burden of the patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) including their admissions, diagnostic and therapeutic cares is similar to other severe diseases. Aim of the work: To evaluate the different aspects of the disease in IIM patients in our region. Patients and methods: All of patients with a diagnosis of IIM admitted to the wards in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between 2001 and 2011 were evaluated. Results: There were 117 (70.5%) female and 49 (29.5%) male patients. The mean age of the patients was 38.5 ± 16.8 years (range: 4–78 years). Among all admissions, proximal muscle weakness was the most frequent presenting symptom, however, 23 (13.9%) of patients did not report any limb weaknesses. The present study showed evidence of involvement of different systems including, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and cardiac. 35 (21.1%) patients came with polyarthralgia, 58 (34.9%) with dysphagia and regurgitation, and 8 (4.8%) with arthritis. Unexplained fever was noted in 33 (19.9%), myalgia in 25 (15%) and cough and dyspnea in 28 (16.8%) patients. Elevated serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were detected in 105 (63.25%) and 153 (92.17%) patients respectively. Electromyogram findings were seen in 113 (91.8%). 35% of the patients had recurrent admissions and mean duration of their admissions was 10 days. During the study period, 8 (4.8%) patients died, mostly with respiratory and then cardiac and infectious complications. Conclusion: IIMs cause various complications and morbidities, with recurrent admissions due to disease flare-up and respiratory and infectious complications. Further prospective studies are recommended to elucidate the predisposing risk factors.