Quantitative muscle testing in childhood dermatomyositis
Miller, L.C.; Michael, A.F.; Baxter, T.L.; Kim, Y.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 69(8): 610-613
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9993 PMID: 3408331 Document Number: 316131
Sixteen children with dermatomyositis were followed longitudinally by quantitative muscle testing between 1972 and 1982. The time to achievement of normal muscle strength measured quantitatively was significantly delayed (p less than .001) compared to the time muscle strength was clinically assessed as normal by manual muscle testing. A significant difference was also found between the time normal muscle strength was measured and normal muscle enzymes were achieved (p less than .05). Quantitative muscle testing is a useful adjunct to clinical assessment of muscle strength and determination of muscle enzymes in the therapeutic management of patients with dermatomyositis.