Myofibrillar myopathies

Myofibrillar myopathies are a group of conditions called myopathies that affect muscle function and cause weakness. They primarily affect skeletal muscles.

A weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) is also common and may manifest as arrhythmia, conduction defects or congestive heart failure.

Myofibrillar myopathies are always progressive and muscle weakness worsens over time, however the rate of progression may vary from person to person and also depending on the specific condition.

The course of the condition can be variable from mild weakness to severe, leading to loss of ambulation in some people.

Life-expectancy is generally within the normal range, however this depends on identification and treatment of heart problems and breathing difficulties.

The signs and symptoms of myofibrillar myopathies vary widely among affected individuals, even within the same family, typically depending on the underlying genetic cause.

Most people with this condition begin to develop muscle weakness (myopathy) in mid-adulthood. However, symptoms can appear anytime between infancy and late adulthood.

People with myofibrillar myopathies can experience weakness and wasting in the muscles of their hands, arms ankles and calves. Affected people may experience difficulties with small tasks using their hands owing to the weakness in their hands, or frequent falls owing to weakness in their feet.

With the progression of the condition, weakness in the muscles closer to the body can also develop, but occasionally this can be present from the onset. Other signs and symptoms of myofibrillar myopathies can include muscle pain (myalgia), joint stiffness (contractures) and abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis).

Muscles responsible for speech and swallowing can also be affected leading to swallowing difficulties (choking episodes) and changes in the tone of voice.

Heart problems can be mild or severe and may manifest as arrhythmia, conduction defects or congestive heart failure.

Muscles used for breathing may also get weaker, causing breathing difficulties and leading to respiratory insufficiency.

Some people with myofibrillar myopathies may also experience loss of sensation (paresthesia, tingling and numbness) and weakness related to damage of the peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy).

In some cases people with myofibrillar myopathies can also develop blurred vision as a result of cataracts.

These conditions are mostly inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that one copy of the altered gene is sufficient to cause the condition.

Occasionally, the condition can be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, where a faulty copy of the gene will need to be inherited from each parent in order for the condition to develop. For more information, see our factsheet: Inheritance and genetics.)

In some cases, there is no previous family history and the condition is caused by a new mutation.

Myofibrillar myopathies may be diagnosed in childhood but most often appear after 40 years of age.

A diagnosis is made based on clinical findings, electromyography, nerve conduction studies and muscle biopsy. Molecular genetic testing for the DES, CRYAB, MYOT, ZASP, BAG3, DNAJB6, TTN and FLNC genes is available to confirm the diagnosis.

Even though there is no cure for myofibrillar myopathies, individuals affected by arrhythmia and/or cardiac conduction defects or cardiomyopathy may consider implantation of a pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Heart transplantation may be considered if the cardiomyopathy is progressive or life-threatening.

Assisted ventilation and physiotherapy may be helpful for those with advanced muscle weakness.

Orthotics and other walking aids may be helpful, for example if foot drop develops.