A newly published study by Dr. Vladimir M. Liarski in the journal Military Medical Research offers the most comprehensive analysis to date of inclusion body myositis (IBM) among US veterans. Drawing on data from the Veterans Administration Corporate Data Warehouse, the study reveals critical insights into the demographics, clinical features, and survival outcomes of veterans diagnosed with this rare and debilitating muscle disease.
IBM is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy in adults over 50, yet it remains poorly understood and without FDA-approved treatments. Dr. Liarski’s retrospective analysis included 732 IBM patients and 1,215 matched controls, with service periods ranging from World War II to the Persian Gulf War.
Key Findings
- Drastically reduced survival: IBM patients had a mean survival of just 8.5 years, compared to 15 years for matched controls.
- High comorbidity rates: Veterans with IBM were significantly more likely to have diabetes (49.5%), cancer (38.4%), and a history of smoking (23.2%).
- Lung involvement: IBM patients showed higher rates of bronchiectasis (57.5%) and interstitial lung disease (61.9%), independent of smoking status.
- Racial disparities: Black veterans were overrepresented in the IBM cohort, making this one of the most racially diverse IBM populations ever studied. This finding raises important questions about potential genetic, environmental, or service-related risk factors.
IBM remains under-recognized compared to other neuromuscular diseases, despite its devastating impact on quality of life. As Dr. Liarski’s work shows, veterans living with IBM face not only physical decline but also significant psychological burdens due to limited treatment options.
TMA applauds this important contribution to the field and calls on the medical and research communities to prioritize IBM in future studies and healthcare planning.
Vladimir M. Liarski, MD, is a rheumatologist and physician-scientist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. His research focuses on autoimmune diseases, immune cell interactions, and advanced imaging techniques to uncover the mechanisms behind IBM and related conditions.
TMA’s Military Veteran with Myositis Affinity Group hosts patients and care partners who have prior military service. This group provides a comfort zone for veterans to discuss issues specific to their community. It meets monthly on the second Saturday at 12pm ET. Register here.