INTRODUCTION: Monitoring grip strength at home may detect improvement between intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatments in patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathies (CINs). METHODS: Fifteen patients recorded grip strength each day, from one IVIg treatment until the next. We analyzed grip strength changes comparing thresholds of 8 kPa and 14 kPa. "Random" fluctuations of grip strength were distinguished from treatment response by smoothing the data. RESULTS: "Random" fluctuations of at least 8 kPa occurred in 27% of patients. Smoothed daily grip strength increased by at least 8 kPa above baseline in 11 (73%) patients. Grip strength increased by at least 8 kPa for 3 consecutive days in 9 (60%) patients, and 5-day block mean increased by at least 8 kPa in 10 (67%) patients. DISCUSSION: Home monitoring of grip strength confirmed treatment response in most patients with CINs on IVIg. To detect improvement in an individual patient, we suggest a threshold of at least 8 kPa on 3 consecutive days or on 5-day block mean.
INTRODUCTION: Monitoring grip strength at home may detect improvement between intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatments in patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathies (CINs). METHODS: Fifteen patients recorded grip strength each day, from one IVIg treatment until the next. We analyzed grip strength changes comparing thresholds of 8 kPa and 14 kPa. "Random" fluctuations of grip strength were distinguished from treatment response by smoothing the data. RESULTS: "Random" fluctuations of at least 8 kPa occurred in 27% of patients. Smoothed daily grip strength increased by at least 8 kPa above baseline in 11 (73%) patients. Grip strength increased by at least 8 kPa for 3 consecutive days in 9 (60%) patients, and 5-day block mean increased by at least 8 kPa in 10 (67%) patients. DISCUSSION: Home monitoring of grip strength confirmed treatment response in most patients with CINs on IVIg. To detect improvement in an individual patient, we suggest a threshold of at least 8 kPa on 3 consecutive days or on 5-day block mean.
Authors: Jeffrey A Allen; Mamatha Pasnoor; Mazen M Dimachkie; Senda Ajroud-Driss; Thomas H Brannagan; Albert A Cook; Timothy Walton; Mark B Fiecas; John T Kissel; Ingemar Merkies; Kenneth C Gorson; Richard A Lewis Journal: Neurology Date: 2021-02-16 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Robin van Veen; Luuk Wieske; Ilse Lucke; Max E Adrichem; Ingemar S J Merkies; Ivo N van Schaik; Filip Eftimov Journal: J Peripher Nerv Syst Date: 2022-05-25 Impact factor: 5.188
Authors: S R M Bus; M C Broers; F Eftimov; I M Lucke; C Bunschoten; G G A van Lieverloo; M E Adrichem; R van Veen; L Wieske; H F Lingsma; H S Goedee; W L van der Pol; I N van Schaik; P A Van Doorn; B C Jacobs Journal: J Neurol Date: 2021-06-26 Impact factor: 6.682