Inflammatory myopathies comprise heterogeneous, often multisystemic autoimmune diseases with muscle involvement as a common feature. The prognosis largely depends on a timely diagnosis and initiation of therapy. Given the complexity of these rare diseases, when an inflammatory myopathy is suspected patients should be referred to an expert center with established algorithms for the diagnostic work-up. The differential diagnostic exclusion of myositis mimics should ideally be carried out in close collaboration with neurologists and neuropathologists. The choice of immunosuppressive treatment should primarily depend on disease severity and organ involvement but age and comorbidities also have to be taken into account.
Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Diagnosis; Immunosuppressants; Skeletal muscles; Therapy.