Clinicopathological Reclassification of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy to Match the Serological Results of Myositis-Specific Antibodies.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Advances in serological tests are transforming the classification of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). The new criteria suggested by the 119th European Neuromuscular Center international workshop divide IIM cases into four main diseases according to clinical and pathological findings, adding immune-mediated necrotizing myositis and nonspecific myositis to the classic categories of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Methods: Seventy one cases of IIM with sufficient available clinical and pathological data were reviewed to be reclassified according to the new criteria.

Results: Most of the cases previously classified as polymyositis (77.8%, 35/45) were reclassified as immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. The results of myositis-specific antibodies matched well with the new clinicopathological classification.

Conclusions: This new clinicopathological classification for IIM in combination with serological test results could be applied to our previous case series. Adoption of the new criteria will lead to a better understanding of the disease and hence new therapeutic insights.