Inclusion body myositis.

IBM remains a poorly understood form of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, although great progress in the areas of clinical recognition and pathophysiology have been made recently. The question of whether therapy can favorably influence short- and/or long-term outcome is still unanswered. Several recent reports suggest some possibility of at least slowing progression with immunosuppressive therapy. Long-term therapeutic trials with goals that include stabilization, rather than improvements in strength, are urgently needed.