Recognition of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies Underlying Interstitial Lung Diseases

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is one of the most common causes of mortality in idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIM). Despite these conditions being commonly associated with proximal weakness, skin rashes and arthritis, ILD can be the first or the sole clinical feature in up to 60% of patients, potentially leading to incorrect diagnosis. The early recognition of an underlying IIM in ILD patients can allow for prompt treatment, which could potentially stabilize or even improve the lung disease, also avoiding the development of other clinical features associated with the condition. The objective of this review is to describe the clinical, serological and radiological features associated with IIM-ILD, mainly focusing on dermatomyositis and antisynthetase syndrome.