Antibody Testing:
An initial diagnosis of Myositis is usually made from blood tests and electro-diagnostic tests and a clinical exam, but many doctors are now testing patients for "myositis specific antibodies" (MSA). It is extremely rare to find these antibodies in patients without myositis, even if they have another muscle or autoimmune disease.
These antibodies and others called "myositis-associated antibodies" (MAA) were identified several years ago and assist in confirming a diagnosis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis as well as offering some insight into the possible course of the disease.
An initial diagnosis of Myositis is usually made from blood tests and electro-diagnostic tests and a clinical exam, but many doctors are now testing patients for "myositis specific antibodies" (MSA). It is extremely rare to find these antibodies in patients without myositis, even if they have another muscle or autoimmune disease.
These antibodies and others called "myositis-associated antibodies" (MAA) were identified several years ago and assist in confirming a diagnosis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis as well as offering some insight into the possible course of the disease.