Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) involve inflammation of the muscles and are classified by the patterns of presentation and immunohistopathologic features on skin and muscle biopsy into 4 categories: dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. Systemic corticosteroid (CS) treatment is the standard of care for IIM with muscle and organ involvement. The extracutaneous features of systemic sclerosis are frequently treated with CS; however, high doses have been associated with scleroderma renal crisis in high-risk patients. Although CS can be effective first-line agents, their significant side effect profile encourages concomitant treatment with other immunosuppressive medications to enable timely tapering.
Key points
- •
Treatment with corticosteroids is the standard of care for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies with muscle and organ involvement.
- •
Extracutaneous features of scleroderma occasionally warrant treatment with corticosteroids; however, high doses have been associated with the development of scleroderma renal crisis in high-risk patients.
- •
Corticosteroid monotherapy is not recommended for cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis and scleroderma.
- •
The significant side effect profile of corticosteroids encourages concomitant treatment with other immunosuppressive medications to enable timely tapering.
![](https://freepngimg.com/download/social_media/63059-media-icons-telegram-twitter-blog-computer-social.png)
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
![](https://clinicalpub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/256.png)
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
![](https://videdental.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appstore.png)
![](https://videdental.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/google-play.png)
![](https://clinicalpub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/banner1.png)