Working Groups
Inflammatory Myopathies Subset Working Group
The IIM Subsets Working Group focuses on a range of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, including Dermatomyositis (DM), Necrotizing Myopathy (NM), Anti-Synthetase Syndrome (ASyS), Overlap Myositis (OM), and Polymyositis (PM). These diseases are rare, heterogeneous, and affect muscles, skin, and other organ systems.
Each subset has its own unique clinical manifestations, autoantibody profiles, and disease trajectories, making it essential to tailor clinical trials and treatment approaches for each condition.
Inclusion body myositis (IBM)
Working Group
The Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) Working Group focuses on advancing research and clinical trials specifically targeted at IBM, a rare progressive muscle disease. Primarily affecting older adults, IBM presents unique challenges due to its resistance to conventional immunosuppressive therapies and the absence of effective treatments.
Despite its typically slow progression, IBM leads to significant muscle weakness, loss of mobility, and increased dependency over time, making it a priority for the development of targeted interventions.
Inflammatory Myopathies-ILD
Working Group
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most severe and life-threatening complications associated with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Affecting a large proportion of patients, ILD can lead to progressive lung damage, respiratory failure, and significantly reduced survival rates.
Despite its severity, early detection and management of ILD can dramatically improve outcomes, yet consistent approaches to screening, monitoring, and treatment remain lacking.
Juvenile Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (JIIM) Working Group
Juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIIM) are rare, chronic autoimmune conditions that affect children and adolescents. These diseases are characterized by muscle weakness, skin involvement, and systemic manifestations that can affect the lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal tract.
The course of the disease is highly heterogeneous, with some patients experiencing mild symptoms while others face more severe complications. JIIM significantly impacts physical development and quality of life, making early diagnosis and appropriate treatment essential for improving long-term outcomes.
Outcome Measures
Working Group
Accurate and reliable outcome measures are critical for assessing disease activity, progression, and treatment responses in IIM. Given the heterogeneity of these diseases and their multi- systemic nature, developing standardized and validated outcome measures is essential for both clinical practice and research.
Outcome measures enable clinicians and researchers to monitor patient progress, assess the efficacy of therapies, and contribute to the development of improved treatment protocols.
Classification Criteria
Working Group
Developing accurate and universally accepted classification criteria is crucial for advancing research and improving clinical care in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Classification criteria help distinguish between different subtypes of IIM, guide diagnosis, and ensure consistency across clinical trials and studies.
Given the heterogeneity of myositis, precise classification is essential to properly identify patient groups, tailor treatments, and improve outcomes.