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This publication is made possible by an educational grant from Amgen
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Volume 51, Number 3
Myopathic Diseases
Robert L. Wortmann, MD
Department of Internal Medicine
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Tulsa, OK
Summary Points
- Skeletal muscles may be involved with
inflammation or metabolic abnormalities.
- The clinical effects of muscle involvement
include weakness, fatigue, and muscle cramping.
- The diagnosis is made by demonstrating muscle
weakness, muscle involvement as indicated by an elevation of the CPK, an
abnormality on EMG, and the pathology on muscle biopsy.
Introduction
A large number of diseases and conditions affect
skeletal muscle and result in symptoms (1,2). These include objective muscle
weakness, premature fatigue, and post-exertional aches, cramps, and pains. It is
useful to classify the myopathies within several categories. The history,
physical examination, serum chemistries, electrophysiologic studies (EMG),
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and analysis of muscle tissue, but usually
renders a specific diagnosis.
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