Article

In persons with prior paralytic poliomyelitis, progressive muscle
weakness can occur after a stable period of at least 15 years. Knowledge is
limited about which factors influence changes in lower limb muscle strength in
these persons. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in lower limb muscle strength
annually over 4 years in persons with late effects of polio and to identify
prognostic factors for changes in muscle strength.
SETTING: University hospital outpatient program.
PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two ambulant persons (mean age +/- standard deviation: 64 +/-
6 years) with verified late effects of polio. METHODS: Mixed linear models were
used to analyze changes in muscle strength and to identify determinants among the
following covariates: gender, age, age at acute polio infection, time with late
effects of polio, body mass index, and estimated baseline muscle weakness. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Knee extensor and flexor and ankle dorsiflexor muscle
strength were measured annually with a Biodex dynamometer. RESULTS: The men (n =
28) had significant linear change over time for all knee muscle strength
measurements, from -1.4% (P < .05) per year for isokinetic knee flexion in the
less-affected lower limb to -4.2% (P < .001) for isokinetic knee extension in the
more-affected lower limb, and for 2 ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength
measurements (-3.3%-1.4% per year [P < .05]). The women
(n = 24) had a
significant linear change over time only for ankle dorsiflexor measurements
(4.0%-5.5% per year [P < .01]). Gender was the strongest factor that predicted a
change in muscle strength over time. CONCLUSIONS: Over 4 years, men had a greater
decline in muscle strength than did women, but the rate of decline did not
accelerate. This finding indicates that gender could be a contributing factor to
the progressive decline in muscle strength in persons with late effects of polio.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS