title: Isokinetic strength testing for evaluating the efficacy of intravenous immune globulin therapy for inclusion body myositis.
abstract: Inclusion body myositis is a disease of striated skeletal muscle of unclear etiopathogenesis. Its diagnosis is difficult. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are of limited efficacy. Positive responses to intravenous immune globulins have recently been reported in a few patients. We used a CYBEX 6000 isokinetic dynamometer to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immune globulin therapy in a patient with inclusion body myositis. Measurements were done at the flexors and extensors of the knee, at baseline and four and eight months after treatment initiation. A course of intravenous immune globulins (2 g per course) was given every month for five months then every two months. Isokinetic muscle strength measured at an angular speed of 180 degrees/second increased by more than 41% at both knees. As compared with muscle imaging studies (computed tomography, X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging), isokinetic strength testing has the advantage of providing data on functional improvements under treatment.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Unit, Rangueil Hospital, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dasque
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laroche
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marque
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Vourc'h
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moulinier
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maziéres
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Roques
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018979:Myositis, Inclusion Body / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous