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Inclusion Body Myositis Synonym(s): Reviewed 11-08-2001 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Inclusion Body Myositis?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What is Inclusion Body Myositis? Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an inflammatory muscle disease characterized by slow and relentlessly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy of the muscles. The disorder is very similar to another inflammatory myopathy called polymyositis. In fact, IBM is often diagnosed in cases of polymyositis that are unresponsive to therapy. However, IBM has its own distinctive features. The onset of muscle weakness in IBM is generally gradual (over months or years). Also, IBM, which occurs more frequently in men than women, affects both the proximal (closest to the center of the body) and distal (farthest from the center of the body) muscles. There may be weakness of the wrist and finger muscles and atrophy of the quadricep muscles in the legs. Atrophy or shrinking of the forearms is also characteristic. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) occurs in approximately half of IBM cases. Symptoms of the disease usually begin after the age of 50, although the disease can sometimes occur earlier. Falling and tripping are usually the first noticeable symptoms of IBM. For some patients the disorder begins with weakness in the hands causing difficulty with gripping, pinching, and buttoning. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
Myositis Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association Related NINDS Publications and Information
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