Characterizing Myositis-Related Pain in Inflammatory Myopathies (CRAMP-IM)

Myositis is a rare systemic autoimmune disease with limited treatment options. With a shift towards understanding the experiences of patients living with disease and providing a more patient centered approach over the last decade, other disease symptoms such as pain, are being increasingly recognized. Since myositis was traditionally believed to cause a painless weakness, pain has long been overlooked as a disease symptom. 

This study centers on understanding and characterizing pain in myositis patients and improving future clinical care through the results of this study. The participants who complete all study-related tests will be provided with a gift card.

Inclusion Criteria for Patients:

• Adult (≥18 years old) who i) fulfill the probable/definite criteria according to the ACR-EULAR Classification of IIM, and ii) experience myositis-related pain will be eligible for enrollmented in the study. The patients with a specific IIM subtype called inclusion body myositis (IBM) will be excluded due to its distinct clinicopathological characteristics. The patients will be stratified according to their pain: those with myositis-related pain vs those who do not have any pain. The patients who are on opioids, those who have history of peripheral neuropathy, another concomitant rheumatic disease, acute pain (<6 months), pain that was present prior to myositis diagnosis or pain due to reasons other than IIM such as osteoarthritis will be excluded.

Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:

• Controls who do not have a chronic medical condition including neuromuscular disease, rheumatic disease, and peripheral neuropathy, and those who do not take opioids will be eligible as controls.

This is a partial list of eligibility requirements. To inquire about your eligibility, please call the contact number provided. If you wish to inquire via email, please include the title of the study in your message.