Myopathy seen with excessive glucocorticoids
Proximal muscle weakness without muscle enzyme elevations can be seen in patients with Cushing’s syndrome or in patients receiving >10 mg of prednisone a day.
EMG findings are usually normal or nonspecific. Muscle biopsy can show type 2b muscle fiber atrophy, which is nonspecific and can be seen with disuse atrophy. Patients should be treated with physical therapy as muscle-strengthening exercises may delay the onset or improve this myopathy.
