Rg. Fafalak et al., STRENGTH IN POLYMYOSITIS AND DERMATOMYOSITIS - BEST OUTCOME IN PATIENTS TREATED EARLY, Journal of rheumatology, 21(4), 1994, pp. 643-648
Objective. To study the influence of clinical variables on improvement
in muscle strength in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
Methods. We biomechanically examined muscle strength over the course
of 2.54 years of 65 patients. Results. Disease duration before therapy
was predictive of outcome. Those treated within 6 months or one year
of disease onset had better outcomes than those with later treatment.
In addition, among those who gained strength, degree of elevation of c
reatine kinase was correlated with greater gains. Conclusion. Early tr
eatment after disease onset increases the chance of a favorable respon
se.