Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a late-onset inflammatory muscle disease (myopathy) associated with progressive proximal and distal limb muscle atrophy and weakness. Treatment options have attempted to target inflammatory and atrophic features of this condition (for example with immunosuppressive and immunomodulating drugs, anabolic steroids, and antioxidant treatments), although as yet there is no known effective treatment for reversing or minimising the progression of inclusion body myositis. Two recent systematic reviews have investigated the effects of different treatments for IBM. The benefits, adverse effects, and costs of different treatments were considered. Standard Cochrane methodological procedures were used. Both studies included 10 using different treatment regimens. Trials of interferon beta-1a and MTX provided moderate-quality evidence of having no effect on the progression of sporadic inclusion body myositis. Overall trial design limitations including risk of bias, low numbers of participants, and short duration make it difficult to say whether or not any of the drug treatments were effective. More randomised controlled trials that are larger, of longer duration, and that use fully validated, standardised, and responsive outcome measures are needed.
