Corticosteroid Myopathy

 

Risk factors:

(1) high doses of corticosteroids

(2) fluorinated corticosteroids

(3) past history of corticosteroid-associated myopathy

 

General features of corticosteroid myopathy:

(1) muscle weakness

(2) myalgias

(3) slow recovery after discontinuation of inciting corticosteroid

 

Myopathy may be seen with acute or chronic steroid therapy.

 

Acute steroid myopathy may be associated with:

(1) generalized muscle weakness

(2) generalized muscle fiber atrophy and/or muscle necrosis

(3) rhabdomyolysis

(4) marked elevation of serum CK concentration

 

Chronic steroid myopathy may be associated with:

(1) proximal muscle weakness

(2) muscle atrophy