title: Jamar hand-held grip dynamometry in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have evaluated the functional and electrophysiological correlates of hand-held grip dynamometry in neuromuscular disease. The practical value of normative values remains uncertain in clinical practice. We aimed to ascertain the value, clinical and electrophysiological correlates, as well as utility of normative values for grip dynamometry, in a cohort of subjects with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional study of 31 prospectively recruited subjects with CIDP, using Jamar hand-held grip dynamometry, conventional clinical assessments and electrophysiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grip dynamometry correlated highly with motor, sensory and functional scores in the upper limbs as well as with global function. There were significant correlations with summated median/ulnar, and ulnar compound muscle action potentials. Patients' readings were significantly lower than median normative values but comparable to fifth percentile normative figures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Jamar grip dynamometry is a reliable measure of global neurological status in patients with CIDP, not limited to upper limb or exclusively motor function. At optimum level of function, CIDP patients had comparable dynamometry recordings to fifth percentile normative values, which may represent a realistic aim for treated subjects with the disorder, with currently available therapies.
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Clinic, Departments of Neurology and Neurophysiology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK. yusuf.rajabally@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Yusuf A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Rajabally
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narasimhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies