Muscle disorders in the elderly

Myopathy is the term used to describe diseases of the muscle that are not attributable to nerve dysfunction. It is an umbrella term that encompasses myopathies that are inherited and those that are acquired. Here, we consider the common myopathies that can occur in later life. We discuss the clinical manifestations, investigation and management of drug-induced, toxic and endocrine myopathies as well as the inflammatory muscle disorders. We also consider the inherited muscle disorders that can present in older patients, including myotonic and oculopharyngeal dystrophy, and facioscapulohumeral. We briefly discuss the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis, which whilst not a primary disorder of muscle, has many overlapping features of a myopathy.