J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1993 Sep;11(3):366-372.

Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Polymyositis

• Seo DW
• Lim JH
• La JH
• Hong SB
• Lee KW
• Roh JK
• Lee SB
• Myung HJ

Abstract

Polymyositis is a heterogenous group of disorders of autoimmune or viral origin. Although the diagnostic tests and therapy have recently been improved, the prognostic factors of polymyositis are not yet well known. We investigated clinical features and laborator! Findings of 45 polvmyositis patients who were admitted at Seoul National university Hospital from 1986 till 1990 to evaluate prognostic factors. The results of analysis were as follows: 1. There was no significant differrence in clinical consequences among the groups of pure polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM) PM/DM associated with connective tissue disease(Mann-Whitney U Test: P>0.8). The incidence of each group was 31.1%. 37.8%. And 26.7% respectively. The proportion of patients showing good response to corticosteroid had no significant differrence among the three groups(Mann-Whitney U Test: P>0.6). Hen we compared the proximal muscle weakness to clinical consequences, the decrement of proximal muscle power as well correlated with consequences(N=4l:Spearman rank correlation anal!sis. R=0.27. P=0.055). 3. The initial level of muscle enzymes uas well correlated with clinical consequences, especially in creatine phosphokinase(CPK \ =36;Spearrnan rank correlation analysis, r=0.28 p=0.057). 4. When the degree of muscle weakness was compared to the levels of muscle enzyme.. The level of CPK was significantly correlated with the degree of proximal muscle weakness( N=192; Spearman rank correlation analysis r=0.363, p<0.001). The results suggest that the level of CPK and the degree of proximal muscle weakness may be good indicatioons of prognosis in polymyositis.

MeSH Terms

Connective Tissue
Creatine
Dermatomyositis
Diagnostic Tests, Routine
Humans
Incidence
Muscle Weakness
Polymyositis*
Prognosis
Seoul
Creatine