Pitfalls in the diagnosis of myositis

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of heterogeneous autoimmune connective tissue diseases. Despite increase in the understanding of these conditions, securing a timely diagnosis and accurate subtype classification remains difficult in some cases. This has important implications for patients, where delayed or inappropriate treatments can have a negative effect on outcomes.

Several conditions can mimic myositis, including metabolic myopathies, genetic myopathies and neurological disease. In addition, the heterogeneity within the idiopathic inflammatory myopathy spectrum can also create diagnostic confusion, referred to here as ‘myositis chameleons’. This includes inclusion body myositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, hypomyopathic variants of anti-synthetase syndrome and overlap disease.

We highlight the importance of a thorough diagnostic workup, refer to updated classification criteria and emphasize the importance of myositis autoantibody testing. Where diagnostic doubt exists, the involvement of a specialist centre and a multidisciplinary team is vital.