Objectives To determine prevalence and co-existence of myositis specific autoantibodies (MSAs) and myositis associated autoantibodies (MAAs) and associated clinical characteristics in a large cohort of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients. Methods Adult patients with confirmed IIM recruited to the EuroMyositis registry (n = 1637) from four centres were investigated for the presence of MSAs/MAAs by radiolabelled-immunoprecipitation, with confirmation of anti -MDA5 and anti -NXP2 by ELISA. Clinical associations for each autoantibody were calculated for 1483 patients with a single or no known autoantibody by global linear regression modelling. Results MSAs/MAAs were found in 61.5% of patients, with 84.7% of autoantibody positive patients having a sole specificity, and only three cases (0.2%) having more than one MSA. The most frequently detected autoantibody was anti -Jo-1 (18.7%), with a further 21 specificities each found in 0.2–7.9% of patients. Autoantibodies to Mi-2, SAE, TIF1, NXP2, MDA5, PMScl and the non-Jo-1 tRNA-synthetases were strongly associated (p < 0.001) with cutaneous involvement. Anti -TIF1 and anti -Mi-2 positive patients had an increased risk of malignancy (OR 4.67 and 2.50 respectively), and anti -SRP patients had a greater likelihood of cardiac involvement (OR 4.15). Interstitial lung disease was strongly associated with the anti -tRNA synthetases, anti -MDA5, and anti -U1RNP/Sm. Overlap disease was strongly associated with anti -PMScl, anti -Ku, anti -U1RNP/Sm and anti -Ro60. Absence of MSA/MAA was negatively associated with extra-muscular manifestations. Conclusions Myositis autoantibodies are present in the majority of patients with IIM and identify distinct clinical subsets. Furthermore, MSAs are nearly always mutually exclusive endorsing their credentials as valuable disease biomarkers.

AimsThe EuroMyositis Registry facilitates collaboration across the idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) research community. This inaugural report examines pooled Registry data.MethodsCross-sectional analysis of IIM cases from 11 countries was performed. Associations between clinical subtypes, extramuscular involvement, environmental exposures and medications were investigated.ResultsOf 3067 IIM cases, 69% were female. The most common IIM subtype was dermatomyositis (DM) (31%). Smoking was more frequent in connective tissue disease overlap cases (45%, OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.90, p=0.012). Smoking was associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.65, p=0.013), dysphagia (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.77, p=0.001), malignancy ever (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.33, p<0.001) and cardiac involvement (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.60, p<0.001).Dysphagia occurred in 39% and cardiac involvement in 9%; either occurrence was associated with higher Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores (adjusted OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.23, p<0.001). HAQ scores were also higher in inclusion body myositis cases (adjusted OR 3.85, 95% CI 2.52 to 5.90, p<0.001). Malignancy (ever) occurred in 13%, most commonly in DM (20%, OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.65 to 2.57, p<0.001).ILD occurred in 30%, most frequently in antisynthetase syndrome (71%, OR 10.7, 95% CI 8.6 to 13.4, p<0.001). Rash characteristics differed between adult-onset and juvenile-onset DM cases (‘V’ sign: 56% DM vs 16% juvenile-DM, OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.36, p<0.001). Glucocorticoids were used in 98% of cases, methotrexate in 71% and azathioprine in 51%.ConclusionThis large multicentre cohort demonstrates the importance of extramuscular involvement in patients with IIM, its association with smoking and its influence on disease severity. Our findings emphasise that IIM is a multisystem inflammatory disease and will help inform prognosis and clinical management of patients.

This surveillance study described a cohort of adults and children with neurological manifestations of influenza. The majority were due to H1N1. More children than adults were identified; many children had specific encephalopathy syndromes with poor outcomes. None had been vaccinated, although 8 (32%) had indications for this. A modified classification system is proposed based on our data and the increasing spectrum of recognized acute encephalopathy syndromes.

ObjectivesAutoantibodies directed against cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase 1A have been identified in many patients with inclusion body myositis. This retrospective study investigated the association between anticytosolic 5′-nucleotidase 1A antibody status and clinical, serological and histopathological features to explore the utility of this antibody to identify inclusion body myositis subgroups and to predict prognosis.Materials and methodsData from various European inclusion body myositis registries were pooled. Anticytosolic 5′-nucleotidase 1A status was determined by an established ELISA technique. Cases were stratified according to antibody status and comparisons made. Survival and mobility aid requirement analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsData from 311 patients were available for analysis; 102 (33%) had anticytosolic 5′-nucleotidase 1A antibodies. Antibody-positive patients had a higher adjusted mortality risk (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.21, p=0.019), lower frequency of proximal upper limb weakness at disease onset (8% vs 23%, adjusted OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.68, p=0.005) and an increased prevalence of excess of cytochrome oxidase deficient fibres on muscle biopsy analysis (87% vs 72%, adjusted OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.66, p=0.020), compared with antibody-negative patients.InterpretationDifferences were observed in clinical and histopathological features between anticytosolic 5′-nucleotidase 1A antibody positive and negative patients with inclusion body myositis, and antibody-positive patients had a higher adjusted mortality risk. Stratification of inclusion body myositis by anticytosolic 5′-nucleotidase 1A antibody status may be useful, potentially highlighting a distinct inclusion body myositis subtype with a more severe phenotype.

ObjectiveInclusion body myositis (IBM) is characterized by a combination of inflammatory and degenerative changes affecting muscle. While the primary cause of IBM is unknown, genetic factors may influence disease susceptibility. To determine genetic factors contributing to the etiology of IBM, we conducted the largest genetic association study of the disease to date, investigating immune‐related genes using the Immunochip.MethodsA total of 252 Caucasian patients with IBM were recruited from 11 countries through the Myositis Genetics Consortium and compared with 1,008 ethnically matched controls. Classic HLA alleles and amino acids were imputed using SNP2HLA.ResultsThe HLA region was confirmed as the most strongly associated region in IBM (P = 3.58 × 10−33). HLA imputation identified 3 independent associations (with HLA–DRB1*03:01, DRB1*01:01, and DRB1*13:01), although the strongest association was with amino acid positions 26 and 11 of the HLA–DRB1 molecule. No association with anti–cytosolic 5′‐nucleotidase 1A–positive status was found independent of HLA–DRB1*03:01. There was no association of HLA genotypes with age at onset of IBM. Three non‐HLA regions reached suggestive significance, including the chromosome 3 p21.31 region, an established risk locus for autoimmune disease, where a frameshift mutation in CCR5 is thought to be the causal variant.ConclusionThis is the largest, most comprehensive genetic association study to date in IBM. The data confirm that HLA is the most strongly associated region and identifies novel amino acid associations that may explain the risk in this locus. These amino acid associations differentiate IBM from polymyositis and dermatomyositis and may determine properties of the peptide‐binding groove, allowing it to preferentially bind autoantigenic peptides. A novel suggestive association within the chromosome 3 p21.31 region suggests a role for CCR5.

Primary cardiac involvement, an under-recognised manifestation of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and systemic sclerosis (SSc)-spectrum disorders, is associated with significant mortality. Within these two conditions, traditional skeletal muscle enzyme testing may not effectively distinguish between skeletal and cardiac muscle involvement, especially in patients with subclinical cardiac disease. Accurate biomarkers are thus required to screen for cardiac disease, to better inform both therapeutic decision-making and treatment response. The widespread uptake of cardiac troponin testing has revolutionised the management of acute coronary syndromes. While cardiac troponin I (cTnI) appears specific to the myocardium, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is also expressed by skeletal muscle, including regenerating skeletal muscle tissue. There is increasing interest about the role of cardiac troponins as a putative biomarker of primary cardiac involvement in IIM and SSc-spectrum disorders. Herewith we discuss subclinical cardiac disease in IIM and SSc-spectrum disorders, the respective roles of cTnI and cTnT testing, and the re-expression of cTnT within regenerating skeletal muscle tissue. There remains wide variation in access to cardiac troponin testing nationally and internationally. We propose two pragmatic clinical pathways using cardiac troponins, preferably measuring concomitant cTnT followed by confirmatory (cardiac) cTnI to screen patients for subclinical cardiac disease and/or low-grade skeletal muscle disease activity, and also an agenda for future research.

Introduction In recent years an increasing range of neurological syndromes has been associated with the emergence of novel influenza A:H1N1 (2009), and other influenza viruses. We aimed to describe the features of adults and children with neurological manifestations associated with influenza in the UK. Method A surveillance study was performed in conjunction with the BNSU and BPNSU* over a 24–month period (February 2011 to February 2013). Inclusion criteria specified acute neurological illness within 1 month of proven influenza infection and prospective case definitions were applied. Results Twenty–five cases were identified: 4 adults and 21 children [6 (23%) with pre–existing neurological disorders]. Four (16%) cases (all with encephalopathy syndromes) died. Twenty cases (80%) required admission to intensive care. Seventeen (68%) had Glasgow Outcome Scores of 2–5 indicating poor outcome. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of respiratory secretions identified: influenza A in 21 (20 H1N1) and influenza B in 4 cases. Two had co–infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae (one adult with septicaemia; one child with meningitis). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed a pleocytosis in 3 out of 18 cases (median 184×106 cells/litre [range 16–900]). Influenza PCR was negative in all 10 CSF samples tested. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 3 cases, computerised tomography in 6, and 14 had both. Recognised acute encephalopathy syndromes were seen in 5, and non–specific changes including cerebral oedema and/or diffusion restriction in 5. For the 4 adults, 2 presented with acute extrapyramidal movement disorders, 1 with Guillain–Barré syndrome and 1 with acute encephalopathy. Of the 21 children, 17 presented with acute encephalopathy, 3 with encephalitis and 1 with acute dyskinesia. Encephalopathy syndromes were documented in 7 cases (6 children, 1 adult). They were characterised by their clinical presentation and neuroimaging and included 4 with Acute Necrotising Encephalopathy (ANE), 1 Acute Infantile Encephalopathy Predominantly Affecting the Frontal Lobes (AIEF), 1 Haemorrhagic Shock & Encephalopathy (HSE) syndrome and 1 Acute Haemorrhagic Leukoencephalopathy (AHL). Treatments included: systemic steroids in 4 cases, 1 had intravenous immunoglobulin, and 3 cases received both. None received plasma exchange. Influenza vaccination was indicated in eight cases, but none had received it. Conclusion This paediatric and adult UK cohort identified a severity of influenza related neurological manifestation not reported previously. Cases were more common in children, particularly those with underlying neurological conditions. Encephalopathy syndromes such as ANE, AIEF, HSE and AHL were seen more frequently in children and were associated with a worse outcome. Acute movement disorders and Guillain–Barré syndrome were identified more commonly in adults. Influenza related encephalopathy may be more common in those with abnormal genetically determined host inflammatory responses, but the virus itself is rarely detected in ...

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent effects on healthcare systems is having a significant effect on the management of long-term autoimmune conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the problems faced by patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Methods An anonymized eSurvey was carried out with a focus on effects on disease control, continuity of medical care, drug procurance and prevalent fears in the patient population. Results Of the 608 participants (81.1% female, median (s.d.) age 57  (13.9) years), dermatomyositis was the most frequent subtype (247, 40.6%). Patients reported health-related problems attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 195, 32.1%); specifically 102 (52.3%) required increase in medicines, and 35 (18%) required hospitalization for disease-related complications. Over half (52.7%) of the surveyed patients were receiving glucocorticoids and/or had underlying cardiovascular risk factors (53.8%), placing them at higher risk for severe COVID-19. Almost one in four patients faced hurdles in procuring medicines. Physiotherapy, critical in the management of IIM, was disrupted in 214 (35.2%). One quarter (159, 26.1%) experienced difficulty in contacting their specialist, and 30 (4.9%) were unable to do so. Most (69.6%) were supportive of the increased use of remote consultations to maintain continuity of medical care during the pandemic. Conclusion This large descriptive study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has incurred a detrimental effect on continuity of medical care for many patients with IIM. There is concern that delays and omissions in clinical care may potentially translate to poorer outcomes in the future.