Monitoring disease activity and damage in adult and juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.

Abstract

We have reviewed the literature to identify significant advances related to disease activity and damage in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) from January 2019 to July 2020. New observations in the field from 2019 to 2020 have resulted in a better understanding of the clinical association and pathogenic origins of IIM. The use of patient-reported outcome measures and perspectives, identifying biomarkers and making better use of autoantibody testing are summarized. Basic sciences have led to an improved understanding of the role of NETosis in calcinosis, and of interferon type 1, in IIM. Preliminary insights are offered into Covid-19 in the setting of IIM, and the use of potential tools for monitoring disease remotely, which may assume larger importance for optimal disease management during a global pandemic. The wider exploration of newer imaging modalities and the use of nailfold capillaroscopy is a further step in better management of the condition. The summarized research in IIM is a step forward in being able to further define, and to distinguish disease activity from damage, in order to potentially aid future clinical diagnosis and management in this challenging disease.