Validation of manual muscle testing and a subset of eight muscles for adult and juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Objective: To validate manual muscle testing (MMT) for strength assessment in juvenile and adult dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM).

Methods: Patients with PM/DM (73 children and 45 adults) were assessed at baseline and reevaluated 6-9 months later. We compared Total MMT (a group of 24 proximal, distal, and axial muscles) and Proximal MMT (7 proximal muscle groups) tested bilaterally on a 0-10 scale with 144 subsets of 6 and 96 subsets of 8 muscle groups tested unilaterally.

Ultrasound imaging distinguishes between normal and weak muscle.

Objective: To determine whether real-time ultrasound imaging can provide quantitative data that distinguish pathologic from healthy muscle and that correlate with strength measures.

Design: Nonrandomized matched-pair, repeated-measures design.

Setting: Ultrasound imaging laboratory, rehabilitation medicine department, government research hospital.

Pentoxifylline in the treatment of radiation-induced fibrosis.

Purpose: Fibrotic sequelae remain the most important dose-limiting toxicity of radiation therapy to soft tissue. Functionally, this is reflected in loss of range of motion and muscle strength and the development of limb edema and pain. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), which are abnormally elevated in irradiated tissues, may mediate radiation fibrovascular injury.

Validation and clinical significance of the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale for assessment of muscle function in the juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Objective: To examine the measurement characteristics of the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS) in children with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (juvenile IIM), and to obtain preliminary data on the clinical significance of CMAS scores.

Methods: One hundred eight children with juvenile IIM were evaluated on 2 occasions, 7-9 months apart, using various measures of physical function, strength, and disease activity. Interrater reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness of the CMAS were examined.

Walking ability and its relationship to lower-extremity muscle strength in children with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Objective: To describe gait deficits and their association with lower-extremity muscle strength in children with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).

Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Setting: Clinical research center.

Neopterin and quinolinic acid are surrogate measures of disease activity in the juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Objective: We evaluated the utility of neopterin and quinolinic acid (QUIN) as surrogate measures of disease activity in juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs).

Methods: Plasma and first morning void urine samples were measured for neopterin and QUIN using commercial ELISA, HPLC, or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 45 juvenile IIM patients and 79 healthy controls. Myositis disease activity assessments were obtained.

Decreased aerobic capacity in children with juvenile dermatomyositis.

Objective: To determine whether patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) have limited aerobic capacity compared with healthy controls.

Methods: Fourteen juvenile DM patients with inactive to moderately active, stable disease (age range 7-17 years) and 14 age- and sex-matched controls performed a maximal exercise test using a cycle ergometer. Oxygen uptake and power were measured at peak exercise (VO(2peak) and W(peak), respectively) and at anaerobic threshold (AT and W(AT)).