Specialization
Neuromusculair disorders, Myositis
Focus of research
Background of the study:
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a heterogeneous group of immune-related diseases, that need to be treated with
prednisone (with the exception of sIBM). Because of heterogeneity, patients present with a range of clinical features, which makes it
often hard to diagnose patients with this disease. Several diagnostic guidelines exist, and many diagnostic tools are recommended
for diagnosis, although gold standard does not exist.
The full panel of diagnostic tools includes, beside clinical history, anamnesis and plane laboratory tests (including sCK),
electromyography (EMG), muscle-ultrasound (US), MRI, (MRI guided) muscle biopsy and determination of antibodies.
We hypothesize that an evidence based diagnostic algorithm, using fewer and preferably the least invasive diagnostic modalities
can approach the accuracy of the complete panel of diagnostic tests.
Objective of the study:
To construct an optimal diagnostic algorithm with the best possible accuracy, and the least patient burden, for patients suspected for
idiopathic inflammatory myopathy who need treatment with corticosteroids.
Study design:
Prospective, fully paired diagnostic accuracy study, with a complete diagnostic protocol for patients suspected of having idiopathic
inflammatory myopathy with an indication for corticosteroid therapy.