Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical sciences and Technology ...

RESULTSTotal 85 cases were collected in the retrospective group from from1984 to April 2004but 6 of them were excluded as biopsy and nerve conduction study unequivocally showedalternate diagnosis like muscle dystrophies and acute inflammatory demyelinatingpolyradiculoneuropathies .. The prospective group included 5 cases recruited from April2004 to July 2005. Hence Study totally included 84 cases of inflammatory musclediseases. Definite inflammatory muscle disease was seen in 62 % of cases, probable in23% cases & possible in remaining 15% cases.A) Clinical features:1) Age: Maximum patients Were in the age group of 18 to 50 years of age. Mean age was32.5 years. Pediatric age group constituted 24% only.Age groupFrequencies (percentages)< 18 years 2418-50 years 62.5>50 years 135Table III: Age group distribution2) Sex: Females constituted 64.5 % .In the pediatric age group, there was no significantdifference in male to female ration (M: F: 1: 14)3) Type of presentation: 2~% had presentation. less than three month after the onset ofsymptoms.4) Muscle pain /tenderness: 48% patients had muscle pain. Half of them had tendernesson examination. Remaining 52 % patients had neither muscle tenderness nor pain.5) Muscle weakness: Grading of muscle weakness was done according to standardMRC grading system .It was further subdivided for prognostication, as no weakness ifpower was 5/5., as mild when power was 3-4/5 and severe if it was less than 3/5.u Jpper r 1m b proxima we akn ess:Grading of muscle weakness Frequencies in percentagesSevere 29.6Mild 65.7No weakness 4.8Upper limb distal weakness:Grading of muscle weakness Frequencies in percentagesSevere 6Mild 51.3No weakness 42.7Table IV: Grading & frequency of upper limb weakness23