J Med Assoc Thai 2002; 85 (1):26

Views: 1,353 | Downloads: 27 | Responses: 0

PDF XML Respond to this article Print Alert & updates Request permissions Email to a friend


Serum Muscle Enzymes, Muscle Pathology and Clinical Muscle Weakness: Correlation in Thai Patients with Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis
Louthrenoo W Mail, Weerayutwattana N , Lertprasertsuke N , Sukitawut W

The clinical correlation between serum muscle enzymes, muscle pathology and muscle
weakness was studied in 100 Thai patients (22 males and 78 females) with polymyositis (PM) and
dermatomyositis (DM). Their mean
เธ‘
SD age and duration of disease were 45.0
เธ‘
13.9 years and
6.3
เธ‘
13.4 months, respectively. There was idiopathic PM in 37 cases, idiopathic DM in 13, PM/DM
associated with malignancy in 5 and PM associated with connective tissue disease in 45. Serum muscle
enzymes including
~reatine
phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase
were elevated in 87 per cent, 92 per cent, and 82 per cent of cases, respectively. Abnormal electromyo-
graphic findings that were compatible with inflammatory myopathy were found in 76 per cent of
cases. Seventy-seven per cent had an abnormal muscle biopsy that was consistent with polymyo-
sitis. There was a significant correlation between serum muscle enzymes and muscle pathology
(p < 0.01). The degree of muscle weakness correlated better with the degree of muscle destruction
(p
=
0.01) than the degree of muscle inflammation (p
=
0.03). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate
showed no correlation with serum muscle enzymes, muscle pathology or muscle weakness.
Key word:
Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Serum Muscle Enzymes, Pathology, Clinical Correlation

Download: PDF