Relapse Rate After Glucocorticoid‐Free Remission in Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies and Validation of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group Criteria for Complete Clinical Response and Worsening
Authors' conclusion
Relapses were frequent in patients with IIM after achieving glucocorticoid-free remission and required management of therapy. IMACS criteria for complete clinical response/worsening need to be amended.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) achieving physician-determined GC-free remission, Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register159 achieved GC-free remission
- Participants
- 494 patients
- Outcome
- Maintenance of GC-free remission (relapse rate) after physician-determined GC-free remission
Methodological detailsSwedish Rheumatology Quality Register (SRQ), validation of IMACS criteria
- Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (SRQ)
- Validation of IMACS criteria
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cumulative relapse rate after GC-free remission · 12 years
12-year cumulative relapse rate
76%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
IMACS complete clinical response fulfilment rates, remission to 6 months after · six months after remission
- Creatine kinase
- 23%
- Health Assessment Questionnaire
- 50%
- Patient global assessment
- 70%
- Physician global assessment
- 80%
- Extramuscular activity
- 83%
- Manual Muscle Test 8
- 95%
Relapses captured by worsening definitions
- IMACS worsening definition
- 50%
- Additional, modified IMACS worsening definition
- 15%
- Additional, reintroduction of GC/immunosuppressant
- 35%
Original publication
Relapse Rate After Glucocorticoid‐Free Remission in Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies and Validation of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group Criteria for Complete Clinical Response and Worsening. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 28 January 2026. doi:10.
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