Raising awareness of myositis

World Myositis Day, recognised annually on September 21, aims to raise awareness of a group of rare, autoimmune diseases, collectively referred to as myositis.

These diseases commonly cause muscle weakness, pain and fatigue, and can severely impact mobility making everyday tasks like climbing stairs or lifting arms above the head difficult. Myositis can frequently also affect other parts of the body, particularly the skin, but also the heart and lungs, leading to a wide range of health challenges for patients.

Given the complexity and heterogeneity of symptoms, it is essential to draw attention to myositis not only within the general population, but also amongst researchers and medical practitioners. Increased understanding and awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment, and an improved quality of life for those living with myositis.

Accurate diagnosis of myositis involves a thorough evaluation of clinical symptoms, muscle biopsy, electrodiagnostic studies, and imaging techniques such as muscle MRI. Although not essential for diagnosis, the presence of specific auto-antibodies can provide additional diagnostic and prognostic insights in some cases.

Myositis: A complex disease with varied symptoms and diagnostic challenges

There are several forms of myositis, each with its own set of symptoms and diagnostic complexities. These include dermatomyositis, polymyositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, inclusion body myositis, and juvenile forms such as juvenile dermatomyositis. Although muscle inflammation is a hallmark in most forms of myositis, certain subtypes, such as amyopathic dermatomyositis, may not involve muscle inflammation. Symptoms, disease progression, and treatment strategies can vary significantly across the different forms.

Dermatomyositis, for example, is often clinically distinguished by both muscle weakness and skin rashes, and can be linked to an increased risk of cancer in some cases.

"At Octapharma, we are deeply committed to supporting patients with rare diseases such as dermatomyositis. Through our continued innovation and dedication, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by this challenging condition. The approval of Octapharma's intravenous human normal immunoglobulin for the treatment of dermatomyositis is a testament to our mission of improving patient outcomes and quality of life."

Olaf Walter, Board Member

Treatment and disease management

While there is no cure for myositis, most patients can manage and improve their symptoms with effective treatments. Ongoing research is expanding the range of drug options, allowing patients and physicians to choose the best medication based on individual risks and benefits.

Commonly used treatments include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and intravenous immunoglobulin.1

References:

1. Medications - The Myositis Association Accessed 9/2024