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

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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 workTo evaluate the different aspects of the disease in IIM patients in our region. Patients and methodsAll of patients with a diagnosis of IIM admitted to the wards in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between 2001 and 2011 were evaluated. ResultsThere 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. ConclusionIIMs 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.