Optimizing Treatment on Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies

Physician Global Activity

This partially validated tool measures the global evaluation by the treating physician of the overall disease activity of the patient at the time of assessment using a 10 cm. visual analogue scale and a 5 point Likert scale.

Time frame: Six months

Patient/Parent Global Activity -

This partially validated tool measures the global evaluation by the patient, or by the parent if the patient is a minor, of the patient's overall disease activity at the time of assessment using a 10 cm. visual analogue scale.

Time frame: Six months

Manual Muscle Testing

This partially validated tool assesses muscle strength using manual muscle testing (MMT). A 0 - 10 point scale is proposed for use. An abbreviated group of 8 proximal, distal, and axial muscles performs similarly to a total of 24 muscle groups, and is also proposed for use for research studies.

Time frame: Six months

Health Assessment Questionnaire

Define the health assessement questionnaire. Pontuaction: 0.00-3.00

Time frame: Six months

Muscle Enzymes

This partially validated tool measures the serum activities of at least 2 of the 4 muscle-associated enzymes including creatine phosphokinase (CK), the transaminases (ALT, AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and aldolase.

Time frame: Six months

Myositis Disease Activity Assessment Tool

After local anesthesia, a cutaneous incision will be made in lateral thigh face. The biopsy will be done using the Bergstrom needle. Histological (hematoxylin and eosin)/immunohistochemical (CD4, CD8, CD68, CD20, C5b-9, MHCI, MHCII, CD31) analysis will be performed in muscle samples (at baseline and after 12 weeks) in all patients (present study)