Exercise as an adjuvant treatment in persistent active polymyositis.

OBJECTIVES: A growing number of studies have suggested that exercise may promote therapeutic effects in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. This prospective case series study aimed to report on the effects of exercise in patients with persistent active myositis. METHODS: Three patients with persistent active polymyositis were submitted to a 12-week supervised exercise program comprising both aerobic and strength exercises. RESULTS: After the intervention, the patients presented improvements in selected parameters of muscle function and aerobic conditioning. In addition, an overall improvement was detected in the quality of life, as measured by both the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and the Health Assessment Questionnaire questionnaires. Importantly, exercise did not increase serum levels of creatine kinase and aldolase. CONCLUSIONS: The findings herein suggest that a combined aerobic and strength training program may be tolerable and potentially effective in improving muscle function, aerobic conditioning, and quality of life in patients with persistent active polymyositis.

Safety and possible effects of low-intensity resistance training associated with partial blood flow restriction in polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low-intensity resistance training program combined with partial blow flow restriction (BFR training) in a cohort of patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). METHODS: In total, 13 patients with PM and DM completed a 12-week twice a week low-intensity (that is, 30% one-repetition-maximum (1RM)) resistance exercise training program combined with partial blood flow restriction (BFR). Assessments of muscle strength, physical function, quadriceps cross sectional (CSA) area, health-related quality of life, and clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS: The BFR training program was effective in increasing the maximal dynamic strength in both the leg-press (19.6%, P <0.001) and knee-extension exercises (25.2% P <0.001), as well as in the timed-stands (15.1%, P <0.001) and timed-up-and-go test (-4.5%, P =0.002). Quadriceps CSA was also significantly increased after the intervention (4.57%, P =0.01). Similarly, all of the components of the Short Form-36 Health Survey, the Health Assessment Questionnaire scores, and the patient- and physician reported Visual Analogue Scale were significantly improved after training (P <0.05). Importantly, no clinical evidence or any other self-reported adverse event were found. Laboratory parameters (creatine kinase and aldolase) were also unchanged (P >0.05) after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that a 12-week supervised low-intensity resistance training program associated with partial blood flow restriction may be safe and effective in improving muscle strength and function as well as muscle mass and health-related quality of life in patients with PM and DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01501019. Registered November 29, 2011.

Camptocormia secondary to polymyositis.

Camptocormia is a postural affliction characterised by abnormal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, which appears upon standing, increases with walking, and disappears in the supine position. Only five cases of camptocormia secondary to idiopathic inflammatory myopathies have been described in the literature. In this case report, we describe the case of a male patient 67 years of age who suffered from polymyositis for 18 years, which was associated with manifestations compatible with camptocormia. The clinical manifestations were stable and did not progress. Polymyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy clinically characterised by symmetric weakness that predominantly affects the proximal muscles. Nevertheless, polymyositis is a systemic autoimmune disease; therefore, the skeletal muscles may be diffusely affected, including the paravertebral muscles, which may manifest as camptocormia.

Camptocormia secundária à polimiosite / Camptocormia secondary to polymyositis

A camptocormia é uma doença postural caracterizada por flexão anormal da coluna toracolombar que surge na posição ereta, aumenta durante a caminhada e desaparece na posição supina. Na literatura, há descrição de apenas cinco casos de camptocormia secundária a miopatias inflamatórias idiopáticas. No presente relato de caso, descrevemos um paciente do sexo masculino, de 67 anos, com polimiosite há 18 anos, cursando com quadro compatível com camptocormia (estável e sem progressão do quadro clínico). A polimiosite é uma miopatia inflamatória idiopática caracterizada clinicamente por fraqueza muscular simétrica predominantemente proximal dos membros. Entretanto, sendo uma doença autoimune sistêmica, é plausível que ocorra acometimento de musculatura esquelética de forma difusa, incluindo a paravertebral, podendo manifestar-se com camptocormia.

Camptocormia is a postural affliction characterised by abnormal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, which appears upon standing, increases with walking, and disappears in the supine position. Only five cases of camptocormia secondary to idiopathic infl ammatory myopathies have been described in the literature. In this case report, we describe the case of a male patient 67 years of age who suffered from polymyositis for 18 years, which was associated with manifestations compatible with camptocormia. The clinical manifestations were stable and did not progress. Polymyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy clinically characterised by symmetric weakness that predominantly affects the proximal muscles. Nevertheless, polymyositis is a systemic autoimmune disease; therefore, the skeletal muscles may be diffusely affected, including the paravertebral muscles, which may manifest as camptocormia.

Peso insuficiente ao nascer: estudo de fatores associados em duas coortes de recém-nascidos em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo / Insufficient birth weight: factors associated in two cohorts of newborns in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar fatores associados ao aumento das taxas de peso insuficiente (PI) em duas coortes de recém-nascidos (RN) vivos e de parto único de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, separadas por 15 anos (1978/79 e 1994). MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 6.223 partos em 1978/79 e 2.522 em 1994, excluindo-se os RN de baixo peso. Associação entre PI e variáveis independentes (idade, trabalho, escolaridade e tabagismo maternos, abortos e natimortos prévios, número de filhos, situação conjugal, visitas de pré-natal, tipo de parto e hospital, categoria de internação, renda familiar, idade gestacional e sexo do RN) foi analisada por cálculo da Odds Ratio (OR) bruto e intervalo de confiança 95 por cento, seguida de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: Em 1978/79, na análise ajustada, idade materna <20 anos (p=0,014), renda familiar <5 salários-mínimos (p=0,030), menos de quatro consultas de pré-natais (p=0,003), parto vaginal (p<0,001), sexo feminino (p<0,001), tabagismo materno (p<0,001) e prematuridade (p<0,001) estiveram associados a PI. Em 1994, os fatores associados ao PI foram: trabalho materno fora do lar (p=0,020), sexo feminino (p<0,001), tabagismo materno (p<0,001) e prematuridade (p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Variáveis socioeconômicas que atuaram em 1978/79 desapareceram em 1994, restando o sexo do RN, o hábito de fumar e a prematuridade nos dois períodos. Como houve diminuição do tabagismo materno e não houve modificação na proporção de nascimentos do sexo feminino, uma explicação para o aumento do PI seria o aumento nos nascimentos pré-termo entre as duas coortes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated to the increase in insufficient birth weight (IBW) rates in two population-based-cohorts of singletons born alive in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, separated by 15 years (1978/79 and 1994). METHODS: The first cohort (1978/79) comprised 6,223 newborns and the second (1994), 2,522, excluding low birth weight newborns. Independent variables association with IBW (maternal age, work, schooling and smoking; previous abortion, previous stillbirth, number of live births, maternal marital status, family income, occupation group, type of hospital, mode of insurance, number of antenatal visits, type of delivery; newborn gender and gestational age) were analyzed. The Odds Ratio (OR) was determined using a logistic regression model and 95 percent confidence limits were calculated. RESULTS: In 1978/79, maternal age <20 years (p=0.014), family income <5 minimum Brazilian wages (p=0.030), <4 antenatal visits (p=0.003), vaginal delivery (p<0.001), female newborn gender (p<0.001), maternal smoking (p<0.001) and preterm birth (p<0.001) were associated with IBW. In 1994, maternal work outside home (p=0.020), female newborn gender (p<0.001), maternal smoking (p<0.001) and preterm births (p<0.001) were associated with IBW. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomics variables associated with IBW in 1978/79 were not determinants in 1994. Newborn gender, maternal smoking and preterm birth remained significant determinants of IBW in both moments. Considering the decrease in rate of maternal smoking and the maintenance of female births, the increase in IBW could be explained by increasing rates of preterm birth in this interval of 15 years.