Blog
Practical articles about living with IBM — diagnosis, daily living, equipment, travel, and more
New Trial Tests a JAK-Inhibitor Drug That Targets the Immune Signal Driving IBM Inflammation
A phase 2b clinical trial now recruiting in France is testing ruxolitinib — a JAK-inhibitor drug that blocks a key immune signal in IBM muscle — as a potential treatment for IBM.
A Diabetes Drug Targeted IBM's Failing Muscle Energy in a New Clinical Trial
Researchers tested pioglitazone — a drug that boosts mitochondrial activity — in people with IBM. Muscle energy shifted in the lab, offering a window into whether fixing metabolism could help.
A New Patient-Built Questionnaire Could Change How IBM Trials Measure Success
Researchers built the IBM-HI — a 97-item questionnaire developed with input from 569 people with IBM — to make sure future clinical trials measure the symptoms that actually matter to patients.
Why IBM Muscles Struggle to Make Energy: New Mayo Clinic Study Finds Widespread Mitochondrial Damage
A new Mayo Clinic study published in the journal Brain finds that IBM muscle is impaired at nearly every step of energy production — which may help explain the profound fatigue so many patients feel.
New Study Links Overactive IL-6 Inflammation in IBM Muscle to a Pathway Trials Are Already Targeting
A new peer-reviewed study found that the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 inflammation pathway is hyperactive in IBM muscle — and that the body's natural brakes on that pathway are weakened. Here is what it means.
New Australian Collaboration Launches an IBM Pilot Trial — and a Way to Spot Progress Far Earlier
The Snow Centre for Immune Health, WEHI, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital are joining forces on a pilot clinical trial targeting immune pathways in IBM, with a focus on detecting treatment effects much earlier than current methods allow.
How Common Is IBM? Large Study Reveals New Incidence Rates and Demographic Differences
A population-based study of over 4,000 IIM patients in England provides the most detailed picture yet of IBM incidence, showing it affects about 1 in 200,000 people per year and is more common in men.
Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Mouse Model of Hereditary IBM
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital used gene therapy to boost cellular cleanup pathways in a mouse model of hereditary IBM — and saw improvements in muscle function and protein buildup.
Could Muscle Ultrasound Help Diagnose IBM? New Study Explores the Possibility
A study from Sapienza University in Rome found that muscle ultrasound — a quick, non-invasive, and affordable imaging tool — reflects the characteristic muscle damage pattern in IBM and correlates with MRI findings.
Can At-Home Hand Exercises Help IBM Patients? A New Pilot Study Explores the Question
A small pilot study tested whether a simple at-home TheraPutty program could improve hand strength and function in IBM patients. Here is what the researchers found — and what it means.
IBM Patients Face 2.5x Higher Fall Risk — And a New Tool Is Being Built to Track It
A study of 470 patients found IBM carries the highest fall risk of any inflammatory myopathy. Meanwhile, a new patient-reported outcome measure will help future clinical trials better capture what IBM actually feels like.
New IBM Research Model Links Muscle Aging to Disease — And Points to New Treatment Targets
A breakthrough patient-derived cell model reveals that IBM muscle cells are inherently abnormal — with higher inflammation, DNA damage, and signs of premature aging. Plus, CAR T-cell therapy trials show promise for inflammatory myopathies.
"It's Just Aging" — Why That Diagnosis Might Be Wrong
If you've been told your muscle weakness is just part of getting older, you need to read this. IBM is the most commonly misdiagnosed muscle disease.
Exercise and IBM: Why Movement Matters More Than You Think
Exercise is the only current treatment recommendation for IBM. Here is what is safe, what to avoid, and how to start.
Travelling with IBM: The Equipment You Need and How to Pack It
Travelling when you need a patient lift, portable commode, and other equipment seems impossible. Here is how to make it work.
Why Every IBM Patient Should Own a Bidet
When you can't wipe yourself, a bidet isn't a luxury — it's a medical necessity. Here is what to buy and why.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits with IBM
IBM qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance. Here is how to apply, what documentation you need, and tips for a successful claim.