Idiopathic inflammatory myositis

Abstract

Autoimmune inflammatory myositis is a heterogeneous group of rare inflammatory diseases characterized by chronic muscle weakness and inflammatory cell infiltration into the skeletal muscles. The muscles and skin are typically the primarily involved organ systems; however, other organ systems are frequently associated with inflammatory myositis including interstitial lung disease, skin changes and rashes, vascular involvement including Raynaud's phenomenon, and cardiac manifestations. Cardiac disease in myositis patients is quite common and represents one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in patients with inflammatory myositis. Typical cardiac manifestations include heart failure, myocarditis, conduction abnormalities, valvular disease, and accelerated cardiovascular disease.