General characteristics of patients with IIM and controls. Values are n (%) unless otherwise specified.
| Characteristic | IIM, n =28 | Controls, n = 28 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yrs, mean ± SD | 61.3 ± 13.1 | 63.6 ± 15.6 | 0.53 |
| Female | 22 (78.6) | 22 (78.6) | 1 |
| Smoking habit | 2 (7.1) | 4 (14.3) | 0.75 |
| Hypertension | 12 (60.0) | 12 (60.0) | 1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 2 (7.1) | 2 (7.1) | 1 |
| Dyslipidemia | 4 (14.3) | 4 (14.3) | 1 |
| BMI, kg/m2, mean ± SD | 26.4 ± 4.2 | 25.2 ± 4.4 | 0.344 |
| Troponin I, ng/ml, mean ± SD | 0.07 ± 0.03 | 0.03 ± 0.02 | 0.020 |
| Serum CK levels, U/l, median (range) | 257 (100–602) | 23 (12–104) | < 0.001 |
| ACE inhibitors | 2 (7.1) | 2 (7.1) | 1 |
| Sartans | 1 (3.6) | 2 (7.1) | 0.348 |
| β blockers | 5 (17.8) | 6 (21.4) | 0.713 |
| Calcium channel blockers | 2 (7.1) | 1 (3.6) | 0.348 |
| Oral hypoglycemic agents | 1 (3.6) | 1 (3.6) | 1 |
| Insulin | 0 (0) | 1 (3.6) | 1 |
| Time to myositis diagnosis, mos, median (range) | 44 (3–65) | — | — |
| mMRC, mean ± SD | 78.9 ± 8.2 | — | — |
| MITAX, mean ± SD | 0.16 ± 0.12 | — | — |
| MDI, mean ± SD | 0.11 ± 0.06 | — | — |
| Immunoglobulin therapy | |||
| Intravenously | 20 (71.4) | — | — |
| Subcutaneously | 18 (64.2) | — | — |
| Glucocorticoids | 25 (89.3) | — | — |
| Methotrexate, 0.15–0.2 mg/kg/week orally | 5 (17.9) | — | — |
| Cyclosporine, 3 mg/kg/day orally | 2 (7.1) | — | — |
| Hydroxychloroquine, 3–5 mg/kg/day orally | 5 (17.9) | — | — |
| Azathioprine, 1.5 mg/kg/day orally | 1 (3.6) | — | — |
| Mycophenolate, 30 mg/kg/day orally | 1 (3.6) | — | — |
IIM: idiopathic inflammatory myopathies; BMI: body mass index; CK: creatine kinase; ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme; mMRC: modified Medical Research Council; MITAX: Myositis Intention to Treat Activities Index; MDI: Myositis Damage Index.