Specific management for inclusion body myositis
Note: Management for inclusion body myositis (IBM) is usually supportive as IBM is not very responsive to pharmacological treatments.
Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is not very responsive to pharmacological treatments. For most people with IBM, management is supportive (eg enteral nutrition, physiotherapy, structured exercise programs, mobility aids).
For dysphagia in IBM, a trial of intravenous immunoglobulin may provide short-term benefit, but rarely maintains swallowing long term. Refer for expert rheumatological advice.
Evidence is lacking for the efficacy of immunomodulatory drugs in IBM; however, rarely, a specialist may choose to trial immunomodulatory therapy (eg in younger people with more aggressive disease and severe inflammation on biopsy or in people with an additional autoimmune disorder).