CRP levels were associated with muscle involvement (serum levels of CK (r = 0.30; p = 0.02, n = 60) and myoglobin (r = 0.42, p = 0.002, n = 60)0 as analysed in the whole group of patients and in subsets with PM or with ILD (CK: r = 0.42 or 0.30, p = 0.009 or 0.045, n = 38 or 45; myoglobin: r = 0.53 or 0.40; p = 0.008 or 0.01, n = 33 or 40, respectively). This evidence concerns the gene CRP and interstitial lung disease.