Myostatin and markers of bone metabolism in dermatomyositis.

Background: In dermatomyostis (DM) patients, inflammation, reduced activity, and medication have a negative impact on the musculoskeletal system. Several endocrine factors are involved in muscle growth and bone turnover.

Objective: We aimed to investigate factors regulating myogenesis and bone metabolism and to evaluate possible associations between these endocrine factors, muscle strength, and functional tests in DM patients.

Bone Stress Injuries Are Associated With Differences in Bone Microarchitecture in Male Professional Soldiers.

Bone stress injuries are commonly due to repetitive loading, as often described in competitive athletes or military recruits. The underlying pathophysiology of bone stress injuries is multifactorial. The present cross-sectional study investigated (i) cortical and trabecular bone microstructure as well as volumetric bone mineral density in subjects with bone stress injuries at the tibial diaphysis, measured at the distal tibia and the distal radius by means of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (CT), (ii) areal bone mineral density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry as well as calcaneal dual X-ray absorptiometry and laser, and (iii) the influence on bone turnover markers of formation and resorption at the early phase after injury.

Myostatin and other musculoskeletal markers in lung transplant recipients.

Recipients of lung transplantation (LuTx) may experience impaired muscle function and bone metabolism even after rehabilitation. We investigated the potential use of musculoskeletal markers in identifying the impairment of muscle function and bone function in these patients. Biochemical parameters, bodily functions, and lung function of 37 LuTx recipients were evaluated at the time of their discharge from the hospital stay and about 6 months later.

Long-Term Effects of Severe Burn Injury on Bone Turnover and Microarchitecture.

Severe burn injury triggers massive alterations in stress hormone levels with a dose-dependent hypermetabolic status including increased bone resorption. This study evaluated bone microarchitecture measured by noninvasive high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Changes of serum bone turnover markers (BTM) as well as regulators of bone signaling pathways involved in skeletal health were assessed.

Can Early Rehabilitation on the General Ward After an Intensive Care Unit Stay Reduce Hospital Length of Stay in Survivors of Critical Illness?: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate if an early rehabilitation program for survivors of critical illness improves functional recovery, reduces length of stay, and reduces hospital costs.

Design: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Fifty-three consecutive survivors of critical illness were included in the study.

Is suprascapular neuropathy common in high-performance beach volleyball players? A retrospective analysis.

Background: Pain in the shoulder is a common problem in overhead sports and at times goes along with atrophy of the supra- and infraspinatus muscles. A neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve is one possible reason. The aim of the study was to examine the suprascapular nerve in Austrian high-performance beach volleyball players.

Identification of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Disease-specific categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health have not yet been described for patients with chronic peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAD). The authors examined the relationship between the categories of the Brief Core Sets for ischemic heart diseases with the Peripheral Artery Questionnaire and the ankle-brachial index to determine which International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories are most relevant for patients with PAD.

Design: This is a retrospective cohort study including 77 patients with verified PAD.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle layer thickness of knee extensor muscles in intensive care unit patients: a pilot study.

Objective: It is known that patients in the intensive care unit show an enormous loss of muscle mass. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in enhancing strength and endurance in immobilized patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle layer thickness of knee extensor muscles in intensive care unit patients.

Diagnostic accuracy and reliability of muscle strength and endurance measurements in patients with chronic low back pain.

Objective: Dynamometric trunk muscle strength and endurance tests are performed widely within the rehabilitation management of chronic low back pain. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy and long-term reliability of these measurements in patients with chronic low back pain.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Improved postural control after computerized optokinetic therapy based on stochastic visual stimulation in patients with vestibular dysfunction.

Balance is accomplished by the congruent integration of visual, vestibular and somatosensory input and the execution of adequate control movements. With increasing age, nonlinear dynamics of central control systems become more regular. In unilateral vestibular dysfunction, sensory input to central systems is similarly less complex, because of one sided reduction of information influx.

Muscle wasting in intensive care patients: ultrasound observation of the M. quadriceps femoris muscle layer.

Objective: Patients in intensive care exhibit a high degree of loss of muscle mass. Appropriate instruments are needed to document muscle wasting in these patients. The aim of this pilot study was to describe muscle wasting in patients in the intensive care unit.