Nonvolitional assessment of muscle endurance in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: there is no relationship between patient-reported fatigue and muscle fatigability.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether muscle endurance differs between IIM patients and controls and if a relationship exists between perceived fatigue and poor muscle endurance.

METHODS: Quadriceps contractility, measured using femoral nerve stimulation (TwQ), and strength, measured using maximal voluntary contraction (MVCQ), were assessed in 20 IIM patients and matched controls. Quadriceps endurance was assessed using repetitive electrical stimulation (3 minutes). Time for force to fall to 70% initial force was determined (T70). Reported fatigue was measured using the FACIT-F/Fatigue Severity Scales.

RESULTS: TwQ and MVCQ were lower and perceived fatigue greater for patients. There was no difference in T70 between groups. No relationships were observed between perceived fatigue and endurance (T70).

CONCLUSIONS: IIM patients reported more fatigue and were weaker than controls, but there was no difference in muscle endurance. Endurance and strength were unrelated to reported fatigue measures. Mechanisms driving perceived IIM fatigue are likely to be multifactorial.