Contemporary Topics in Myositis

Myositis, including polymyositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, antisynthetase syndrome, dermatomyositis, and inclusion body myositis, represents a group of rare inflammatory muscle diseases that significantly impact patient quality of life due to chronic muscle weakness, pain, and systemic complications. Despite advancements in the understanding of myositis pathophysiology, rheumatologists face challenges in the early and accurate diagnosis and management of these conditions, often resulting in delayed treatment and suboptimal outcomes.

Our distinguished panel of national experts will discuss evidence-based guidelines for myositis, particularly in the integration of novel biomarkers, imaging techniques, immunosuppressive agents, and emerging targeted therapies. We will also cover how to identify and manage systemic complications associated with myositis, including interstitial lung disease, dysphagia, chronic weakness, and cutaneous manifestations of myositis, through a multidisciplinary approach.

Target Audience | This activity is targeted to rheumatologists, residents, and fellows.

Learning Objectives | HSS continuing medical education activities are intended to improve the quality of patient care and safety. At the completion of the course, the participant should be able to:

• Recognize clinical differences and key features of archetypal presentations of different forms of myositis, as well as of key clinical mimics of myositis, to utilize biomarkers and advanced imaging to improve the early detection and differentiation of various forms of myositis.
• Evaluate and implement evidence-based treatment strategies, including the use of immunosuppressive agents and emerging targeted therapies, to optimize patient outcomes in myositis.
• Identify and manage systemic complications associated with myositis, including interstitial lung disease, dysphagia, chronic weakness, and cutaneous manifestations of myositis, through a multidisciplinary approach.
• Critically assess recent clinical trials and research findings to inform clinical decision-making and enhance patient-centered care in myositis.

Activity Directors

• Anne R. Bass, MD
• Allan Gibofsky, MD, JD, MACR, FACP, FCLM
• David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD

HSS Faculty:

• S. Louis Bridges Jr., MD, PhD
• Jessica K. Gordon, MD
• Robert F. Spiera, MD
• Lan Zhou, MD

Guest Faculty:

• Rohit Aggarwal, MD, MS | University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Julie Paik, MD, MHS | Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Iago Pinal-Fernandez, MD, PhD | National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Valentina Mocchetti, MS, CCC-SLP | Weill Cornell Medicine
• Lesley A. Saketkoo, MD, MPH | Tulane University Medical Center
• Adam I. Schiffenbauer, MD | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• Katharina S. Shaw, MD | University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
• Karen Yanelli, PT, DPT, Cert MDT | Karen Yanelli Physical Therapy

Agenda

Friday, May 9, 2025 | 8:15 am – 5:00 pm ET

8:15 am | Check In / Breakfast / Exhibit Hall Opens*

9:00 am | Welcome and Introduction | S. Louis Bridges Jr., MD, PhD

9:10 am | Session 1: Overview of Myositis | Moderator: David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD

• 9:10 am | Dermatomyositis | Julie Paik, MD, MHS
• 9:30 am | Q & A
• 9:40 am | Pathological Autoantibody Internalisation in Myositis | Iago Pinal-Fernandez, MD, PhD
• 10:10 am | Q & A
• 10:20 am | Antisynthetase Syndrome | Adam I. Schiffenbauer, MD
• 10:40 am | Q & A
• 10:50 am | Case Discussion | All Faculty

11:10 am | Break / Exhibit Hall Open*

11:25 am | Session 2: Organ-Specific Disease in Myositis | Moderators: Jessica K. Gordon, MD; David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD

• 11:25 am | Interstitial Lung Disease in Myositis | Lesley A. Saketkoo, MD, MPH
• 11:55 am | Q & A
• 12:05 pm | Dermatology Perspective in Dermatomyositis | Katharina S. Shaw, MD
• 12:35 pm | Q & A

12:45 pm | Lunch / Exhibit Hall Open*

1:30 pm | Session 3: Keynote – Clinical Trials in Myositis | Moderators: David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD; Robert F. Spiera, MD

• 1:30 pm | Keynote Address | Clinical Trials in Myositis | Rohit Aggarwal, MD, MS
• 2:00 pm | Q & A
• 2:10 pm | Case Discussion

2:30 pm | Session 4

• 2:30 pm | Inclusion Body Myositis | David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD
• 3:00 pm | Q & A
• 3:10 pm | Myositis Mimics | Lan Zhou, MD
• 3:30 pm | Q & A

3:40 pm | Break / Exhibit Hall Open*

3:55 pm | Session 5: Adjunctive Management of Myositis | Moderator: David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD

• 3:55 pm | Dysphagia in Myositis | Valentina Mocchetti, MS, CCC-SLP
• 4:15 pm | Q & A
• 4:25 pm | Exercise in Myositis | Karen Yanelli, PT, DPT, Cert MDT
• 4:45 pm | Q & A

5:00 pm | Adjourn*

*Not for credit

Agenda and faculty subject to change.

Acknowledgements | Funding support for this program is pending.

Registration Information and Assistance | For registration assistance or any other questions, contact Continuing Education at 212.606.1057, or [email protected].

Confirmations | All registered participants will receive a confirmation via e-mail.

Refund Policy | A handling fee will be deducted from the registration fee for cancellations.

Hospital for Special Surgery reserves the right to cancel this course. In the unlikely event the course is canceled, HSS will issue a full refund of the registration fee, but will not be responsible for any other charges incurred by the registrant due to the cancellation of the course.

Please Note | This program may be recorded, filmed or photographed. By attending this program, you give permission to Hospital for Special Surgery to use your voice and likeness for any purpose (promotional, educational, or other), in any medium, and without remuneration of any kind to you.

For More | Go to www.hss.edu/cme for a complete calendar of scheduled live and online CME activities.

Special Needs | Hospital for Special Surgery is accessible for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Participants with special needs are requested to contact the Office of Continuing Medical Education at 212.606.1057.

Parking & Accommodations | For information on parking and accommodations, please view our neighborhood directory. https://www.hss.edu/neighborhood-directory.asp

Local accommodations are limited and early reservations are recommended.

Transportation | Airport: LaGuardia (LGA) is 8 miles northeast of the city. Kennedy International (JFK) is 15 miles southeast of the city. Newark International (EWR) is 16 miles southwest of the city.

Bus: M72, M31 stop at East 69th Street and York Avenue.

Subway: Nearest line is the Q train stop at East 72nd Street and Second Avenue or the 6 train stop at Lexington Avenue and 68th Street.

Car (FDR Drive): Driving south, exit at 71st Street. Driving north, exit at 63rd Street. Continue on York Avenue.

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