31 March 2022
We’ve published a new guideline for clinicians on the treatment and management of myositis. For the first time, healthcare professionals can access evidence-based recommendations for paediatric, adolescent and adult patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).
Dr Alexander Oldroyd, who helped develop the guideline, said: "No rigorously produced guidelines for myositis spanning juvenile and adult-onset disease exist. This new, groundbreaking guideline provides a standard of care for patients across the UK."
The guideline provides clinicians and the entire multidisciplinary team (MDT) with the most up-to-date guidance to help support patients. It contains practical recommendations, including:
Medicines and treatment options
Treatment for patients during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Fracture risk assessment
Screening for cardiac issues, cancer and dysphagia
Considerations relating to quality of life.
It’s been developed by an expert working group that comprised members across the MDT and patients.
Dr James Lilleker, who co-produced the guideline, said: “We bought together both adult and paediatric and adolescent rheumatologists, along with neurologists, a nurse, a pharmacist, dermatologists and physiotherapists to ensure the guideline was comprehensive and evidence-based. We also worked with patients and relatives throughout the process.”
Prof Hector Chinoy, who co-led the development of the guideline, said: "Importantly, this guideline addresses management of IIM across all ages, removing barriers that exist between paediatric and adolescent and adult clinicians."
Dr Liza McCann, who also co-led the development of the guideline, said: "It highlights the importance of exercise, led and monitored by specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists, as well as the need to address psychological wellbeing as an integral part of treatment, in parallel with pharmacological therapies. It also shows gaps in evidence and areas for future research across all age groups."
The guideline is available now for free on our website and in the Rheumatology journal.
Read the guideline