Biomedical subjects

H Lindehammar

Publications and source records attributed to H Lindehammar.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Muscle involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: An observational study of changes in muscle structure and the relation to muscle strength in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: Fifteen children and teenagers (eight girls and seven boys) with JIA, aged 9-19 yr (mean age 16.1), were studied. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the anterior tibial muscle and were examined using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Muscle fibre types were classified and fibre areas measured. As markers of inflammation, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II and the membrane attack complex (MAC) were analysed. Results were compared with biopsies from the gastrocnemius muscle in 33 young (19-23 yr) healthy controls. Isometric and isokinetic muscle strengths were measured in ankle dorsiflexion. Strength was compared with reference values for healthy age-matched controls. Nerve conduction velocities were recorded in the peroneal and sural nerves. RESULTS: Four of the 15 muscle biopsies were morphologically normal. Eleven biopsies showed minor unspecific changes. Two of these also showed minor signs of inflammation. MHC class II expression was found in 4/15 patients, which was significantly more than in the healthy controls (P = 0.0143). The expression of MHC class I and MAC did not differ from that in the controls. The mean area of type I fibres was lower than that of type IIA fibres in 12/13 biopsies. Muscle strength was significantly reduced in the patient group. There was a significant positive correlation between muscle fibre area and muscle strength. Nerve conduction studies were normal in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in leg muscle biopsies appear to be common in children and teenagers with JIA. The presence of inflammatory cells in the muscle and expression of MHC class II on muscle fibres may be a sign of inflammatory myopathy. There are no findings of type II muscle fibre hypotrophy or neuropathy, as in adults with RA.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Hand strength in juvenile chronic arthritis: a two-year follow-up.

AIM: To describe changes in muscle strength in the hands of children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and to examine the relationship between muscle strength, presence of local arthritis and disease subtype. METHODS: Twenty children (10 girls and 10 boys) with JCA aged 7 to 18 y were followed for two years. Isometric muscle strength in wrist dorsiflexors and handgrip strength were measured repeatedly. The results were compared with reference values for the same methods. Arthritis severity in the hand was scored every third month. Nerve conduction velocities were measured twice. RESULTS: Seven out of 20 patients had initially low or decreasing strength in one or both of the two tests. Five out of 20 children had reduced strength (more than two standard deviations below the mean of the reference group) in at least one test. Four children showed a significant reduction in muscle strength in at least one test during the observation time. The greatest reduction in strength was measured in four children with polyarticular disease. These children also had local arthritis in the hand. A greater proportion of children with polyarthritis had low or decreasing strength compared with children with oligoarthritis. The same was true for children with active arthritis in the hand. Nerve conduction velocities were normal in all cases and did not change. CONCLUSION: The majority of children with JCA have normal strength in the hand. Some children, especially those with polyarthritis and hand arthritis, have reduced muscle strength in the hand. Risk factors for low or decreasing strength are polyarthritis and/or active arthritis in the hand.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Latency of compound muscle action potentials of the anal sphincter after magnetic sacral stimulation.

The aim of this study was to present the failure rate and normal values for motor latency of the anal sphincter after magnetic sacral stimulation (LMSS) using a modified recording technique. A bipolar sponge electrode was placed in the anal canal for recording. A ground electrode was placed in the rectum to reduce stimulus artifact. Magnetic stimulation was induced through a twin coil energized by a Maglite-r25 generator. Two groups were examined: 14 healthy volunteers and 14 patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) above the conus. Nine of 56 studies (16%) failed. There were no significant differences in latency between right- and left-sided stimulation or between the healthy group and the SCI patients. As described, LMSS measurements are minimally invasive and have a low failure rate. They may be used to test the integrity of the distal motor pathway in patients with bladder or bowel dysfunction who may benefit from continuous electrical sacral root stimulation.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of the sacroanal motor pathway by magnetic and electric stimulation in patients with fecal incontinence.

PURPOSE: The aim of this controlled study was to examine whether it was feasible to use magnetic stimulation as a new diagnostic tool to evaluate the motor function of the sacral roots and the pudendal nerves in patients with fecal incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (17 females) with a median age of 67 (range, 36-78) years referred for fecal incontinence and 14 healthy volunteers (six females) with a median age of 42 (range, 23-69) years were examined. Latency times of the motor response of the external anal sphincter were measured after electric transrectal stimulation of the pudendal nerve and magnetic stimulation of the sacral roots. RESULTS: The success rates of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency and sacral root terminal motor latency measurements were 100 and 85 percent, respectively, in the control group and 94 and 81 percent, respectively, in the fecal incontinence group. Median left pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was 1.88 (range, 1.4-2.9) milliseconds in the control group and 2.3 (range, 1.8-4) milliseconds in the fecal incontinence group (P < 0.006). Median right pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was 1.7 (range, 1.3-3.4) milliseconds in the control group and 2.5 (range, 1.7-6) milliseconds in the fecal incontinence group (P < 0.003). Median left sacral root terminal motor latency was 3.3 (range, 2.1-6) milliseconds in the control group and 3.7 (range, 2.8-4.8) milliseconds in the fecal incontinence group (P < 0.03). Median right sacral root terminal motor latency was 3 (range, 2.6-5.8) milliseconds in the control group and 3.9 (range, 2.5-7.2) milliseconds in the fecal incontinence group (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Combined pudendal nerve terminal motor latency and sacral root terminal motor latency measurements may allow us to study both proximal and distal pudendal nerve motor function in patients with fecal incontinence. Values of sacral root terminal motor latency have to be interpreted cautiously because of the uncertainty about the exact site of magnetic stimulation and the limited magnetic field strength.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Measurement of quadriceps muscle strength and bulk in juvenile chronic arthritis. A prospective, longitudinal, 2 year survey.

OBJECTIVE: In a prospective survey over a 2-year period we studied strength and bulk of the quadriceps muscle in the thighs of children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). METHODS: Every third month for 2 years we measured isometric muscle strength in knee extensors with a hand-held dynamometer in 20 children with JCA. Ultrasound equipment was used to measure thigh muscle bulk. A joint evaluation was made using a standard severity score. The children had their ordinary medical treatment and physiotherapy during the observation period. RESULTS: Children with high severity scores in the knee or hip had least strength and muscle bulk. In the 4 children with the highest severity scores muscle strength was reduced to half of that expected. In 10 of the children there were clear variations in severity scores during the study period, for either better or worse. In these children an increase in the severity score correlated significantly with reduction in muscle strength and bulk (p < 0.05). The muscle strength and bulk changed in parallel in these children. Other factors, although not independent, such as polyarticular JCA, long duration of disease, and steroid treatment, also reduced muscle strength. CONCLUSION: The presence and intensity of local arthritis is one important factor affecting muscle function in JCA. Normal muscle strength and bulk is rapidly lost near an inflamed joint. It is difficult to maintain or achieve normal muscle function in the presence of active arthritis despite medical and physical treatment. We assume that the muscle weakness is in part caused by atrophy of the muscle, which is influenced by local arthritis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Pelvic floor neuropathy in relation to the outcome of Burch colposuspension.

The aim of the study was to determine the role of neurogenic damage to pelvic floor muscles on the outcome of Burch colposuspension. Thirty women objectively continent after Burch colposuspension and 18 women with recurrent stress urinary incontinence (RSUI) were investigated with concentric needle electrode electromyography (EMG) in both pubococcygeus muscles and the external anal sphincter muscle. Neurogenic EMG patterns were significantly more often seen in the pubococcygeus muscles in women with RSUI than in women continent after the colposuspension (P < 0.05). The distribution of neurogenic EMG patterns in the investigated muscles was significantly more pronounced in women with RSUI than in continent women: at least one pubococcygeus muscle with neurogenic EMG pattern, 72% vs. 34% (P < 0.05); both pubococcygeus muscles, 50% vs. 13% (P < 0.05); and all three investigated muscles 41% vs. 10% (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results imply an association between the outcome of the Burch colposuspension and the occurrence of neuropathy in the pelvic floor muscles. Occurrence of neurogenic damage in the pubococcygeus muscles seems to impair the outcome of Burch colposuspension.

Electromyography↗

PubMed1995

Muscle function in juvenile chronic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Muscle strength and thickness were studied in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) to evaluate their muscle function. METHODS: We studied voluntary isometric, isokinetic, and nonvoluntary isometric muscle strength, as well as muscle thickness, in 20 children with JCA. Thickness of the quadriceps muscle was measured by ultrasound. Results were compared with reference values for healthy children and a matched control group. RESULTS: Isometric muscle strength in knee extensors, elbow flexors, and wrist dorsiflexors was reduced in children with JCA. In muscles near an inflamed joint, the strength was 45-65% of expected value. In muscles without adjacent arthritis, the strength was slightly decreased (80-90% of expected value). Isometric and isokinetic strength in ankle dorsiflexors was reduced only in children with ankle arthritis. Nonvoluntary muscle strength in thumb adductors during electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve was reduced in children with arthritis in the hand. Thickness of the quadriceps muscle was reduced both in children with and without knee arthritis (75 and 90% of expected). CONCLUSION: Children with JCA have reduced muscle strength and thickness, which is most pronounced in muscles near an inflamed joint.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Neurofibromatosis in childhood: neuropsychological aspects.

Neurological findings, difficulties in reading and writing, and behavior disturbances in 27 children with neurofibromatosis were analyzed. Neurological symptoms such as seizures and motor disturbances were found in 37%. Tumors, mainly optic gliomas, and arachnoidal cysts were seen by computerized tomography in 26%. There was an overall functioning within the average range of intelligence; obvious mental deficiency, however, was found in 11%. Difficulties in reading and writing were present in 41%, and 47% had a school performance below average. Behavior disturbances outside the normal range were present in 28% which is significantly more frequent than in children of a normal population. The high rate of school problems and behavior disturbances indicates that early diagnosis and early counseling concerning behavior treatment and special school education are important issues in the care for children with neurofibromatosis.

Child↗