INTRODUCTION: Muscle weakness often complicates critical illness and is associated with devastating short- and long-term consequences. For interventional studies, reliable measurements of muscle force in the intensive care unit (ICU) are needed. METHODS: To examine interobserver agreement, two observers independently measured Medical Research Council (MRC) sum-score (n = 75) and handgrip strength (n = 46) in a cross-sectional ICU sample. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for MRC sum-score was 0.95 (0.92-0.97). The kappa coefficient for identifying "significant weakness" (MRC sum-score <48, MRC subtotal upper limbs <24) and "severe weakness" (MRC sum-score <36) was 0.68 ± 0.09, 0.88 ± 0.07, and 0.93 ± 0.07, respectively. The ICC for left and right handgrip strength was 0.97 (0.94-0.98) and 0.93 (0.86-0.97), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement on MRC sum-score and handgrip strength in the ICU was very good. Agreement on "severe weakness" (MRC sum-score <36) was excellent and supports its use in interventional studies. Agreement on "significant weakness" (MRC sum-score <48) was good, but even better using the equivalent cut-off in the upper limbs. It remains to be determined whether this may serve as a substitute.
INTRODUCTION:Muscle weakness often complicates critical illness and is associated with devastating short- and long-term consequences. For interventional studies, reliable measurements of muscle force in the intensive care unit (ICU) are needed. METHODS: To examine interobserver agreement, two observers independently measured Medical Research Council (MRC) sum-score (n = 75) and handgrip strength (n = 46) in a cross-sectional ICU sample. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for MRC sum-score was 0.95 (0.92-0.97). The kappa coefficient for identifying "significant weakness" (MRC sum-score <48, MRC subtotal upper limbs <24) and "severe weakness" (MRC sum-score <36) was 0.68 ± 0.09, 0.88 ± 0.07, and 0.93 ± 0.07, respectively. The ICC for left and right handgrip strength was 0.97 (0.94-0.98) and 0.93 (0.86-0.97), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement on MRC sum-score and handgrip strength in the ICU was very good. Agreement on "severe weakness" (MRC sum-score <36) was excellent and supports its use in interventional studies. Agreement on "significant weakness" (MRC sum-score <48) was good, but even better using the equivalent cut-off in the upper limbs. It remains to be determined whether this may serve as a substitute.
Authors: Selina M Parry; Catherine L Granger; Sue Berney; Jennifer Jones; Lisa Beach; Doa El-Ansary; René Koopman; Linda Denehy Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2015-02-05 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: François Maltais; Marc Decramer; Richard Casaburi; Esther Barreiro; Yan Burelle; Richard Debigaré; P N Richard Dekhuijzen; Frits Franssen; Ghislaine Gayan-Ramirez; Joaquim Gea; Harry R Gosker; Rik Gosselink; Maurice Hayot; Sabah N A Hussain; Wim Janssens; Micheal I Polkey; Josep Roca; Didier Saey; Annemie M W J Schols; Martijn A Spruit; Michael Steiner; Tanja Taivassalo; Thierry Troosters; Ioannis Vogiatzis; Peter D Wagner Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2014-05-01 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: O Friedrich; M B Reid; G Van den Berghe; I Vanhorebeek; G Hermans; M M Rich; L Larsson Journal: Physiol Rev Date: 2015-07 Impact factor: 37.312
Authors: Boris Jung; Pierre Henri Moury; Martin Mahul; Audrey de Jong; Fabrice Galia; Albert Prades; Pierre Albaladejo; Gerald Chanques; Nicolas Molinari; Samir Jaber Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2015-11-16 Impact factor: 17.440