British Society for Rheumatology guideline on management of paediatric, adolescent and adult patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy

BackgroundIdiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) is a multi-system autoimmune condition characterised by muscle inflammation (myositis), interstitial lung disease (ILD), and skin manifestations with an incidence of up to 19 per 1,000,000 person-years in adults and up to 4 per 1,000,000 person-years in children.Estimated UK prevalence (for adult-onset IIM) is 10, 000 [1,2]. Need for guidelineNo rigorously produced evidence-based guidelines for IIM spanning juvenile and adult-onset disease exists.Assimilating key research relating to management and formation of practical evidence-based recommendations will aid clinicians and help optimize management and outcomes. Target audienceThe target readership is clinicians caring for patients with IIM, including paediatric and adult rheumatologists, neurologists, dermatologists, respiratory physicians, oncologists, gastroenterologists, and cardiologists.Rheumatology and neurology nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, speech and language therapists, specialist rheumatology pharmacists, and psychologists will also find these recommendations relevant. Areas the guideline does not coverDiagnosis, classification, and investigation of suspected IIM are not addressed.Inclusion body myositis is not covered.