Deterrence/Prevention
Consider the judicious use of steroids.
Complications
Although prior studies have reported full motor recovery, some patients may be left with varying degrees of residual weakness.
Prognosis
In chronic (classic) steroid myopathy, recovery from weakness may take weeks to months following discontinuation or dose reduction of the corticosteroid.
In acute steroid myopathy, recovery may be prolonged (>6 mo).
Patient Education
Inform patients of the potential of development of myopathy when starting high-dose or long-term corticosteroid therapy.
Medicolegal Diagnostic Concerns
The main potential pitfall in diagnosing steroid myopathy relates to patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis, which typically is treated with corticosteroids. The main symptom of polymyositis/dermatomyositis is proximal upper and lower extremity weakness. When these patients, while being treated with corticosteroids, develop increasing weakness, it can be difficult to determine whether the weakness is secondary to the polymyositis or to steroid myopathy.
Laboratory studies can aid in differentiating between the 2 conditions. Creatine kinase typically is elevated significantly in polymyositis/dermatomyositis. In steroid myopathy, it typically has been described that, although there is elevated urinary creatinine excretion, the serum creatine kinase is not significantly elevated. [1, 22] However, some studies have reported elevations of creatine kinase in some cases of the previously described acute form of steroid myopathy.
On electrodiagnostic study, polymyositis typically demonstrates normal NCS results, as, commonly, does steroid myopathy. On EMG study, however, polymyositis demonstrates abnormal spontaneous activity and increased polyphasic waveforms with short durations. The classic form of steroid myopathy has been described as not demonstrating significantly abnormal EMG findings. Again, some studies have described an acute form of steroid myopathy that can demonstrate abnormal spontaneous activity, an early recruitment pattern, and small, polyphasic waveforms. [20, 22]
The initial recommendation is to decrease or discontinue the use of the corticosteroid. [8] If the weakness improves, then steroid myopathy is the most likely diagnosis. If the weakness persists or worsens, then the most likely diagnosis is worsening of the polymyositis.
