Misunderstandings, Misperceptions, and Mistakes in the Management of the Inflammatory Myopathies

Abstract

Many misconceptions persist concerning fundamental issues related to the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Such misconceptions can lead to frank mistakes in the diagnosis and management of these disorders. In some cases, these misperceptions have resulted from overreliance on out-of-date information and ``classic'' articles that are no longer classic! In other instances, misperceptions persist because of the many voids in our understanding of these diseases. This review uses case presentations to highlight important caveats in diagnosing and managing the common idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.