Further observations on forearm flexor weakness in inclusion body myositis

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 659 - 661
• Main Authors: Felice, Kevin J., Relva, Gretchen M., Conway, Stephen R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.05.1998; Wiley
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of striated muscles. Neuromuscular diseases; Female; Forearm - physiopathology; forearm muscle weakness; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; inclusion body myositis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; muscle disease; Muscle Weakness - etiology; Muscle Weakness - physiopathology; Myositis, Inclusion Body - complications; Neurology; strength testing; Human; Striated muscle disease; Asymmetry; Force; Myositis; Upper limb; Inclusion body; Muscle contraction
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4598(199805)21:5<659::AID-MUS17>3.0.CO;2-Q

In order to further characterize and provide a possible mechanism for the asymmetrical involvement of forearm muscles in inclusion body myositis (IBM), we measured isometric hand and pinch grip strength, and forearm muscle girth on 15 IBM patients. Forearm muscle strength and girth were significantly greater on the dominant versus nondominant side: mean grip strength, 173.9 vs. 98.8 N; mean pinch strength, 47.6 vs. 29.7 N; and mean forearm girth, 22.5 vs. 19.9 cm. This observation may suggest a role for exercise in delaying the disease progression in IBM. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21:659–661, 1998.