Reduced muscle strength may predict functional decline in women with lupus – latest research

Keeping tabs on changes in muscle strength could be a useful way of forecasting declines in physical function in women with systemic lupus erythematosus and therefore taking action sooner, says research in Arthritis Care & Research.
Experts from the University of California looked at if reduced muscle strength in the arms and legs could be used to predict functional outcomes in 146 women with lupus.
Assessments of muscle strength were carried out about two years apart, physical function was assessed and other factors taken into account such as age, disease activity and duration, exercise levels, prednisone use and depression trends.

They found that lower extremity muscle strength strongly predicted changes in physical function over two years. The association was strongest in people with the lowest levels of strength.

“Reduced lower extremity muscle strength predicted clinically significant declines in physical function, especially among the weakest women,” the research team concludes. “Future studies should test whether therapies that promote preservation of lower extremity muscle strength may prevent declines in function among women with systemic lupus erythematosus.”

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