Muscular weakness in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

We systematically evaluated muscular weakness in a series of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using standardized neurological scoring systems, namely Neuropathy Symptom Score for symptoms, and Neurological Disability Score for signs. Symptoms of weakness were statistically associated with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of nerve and muscle disease. Signs of weakness were statistically associated with malaise, disease activity, anemia, age, and raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Various disease associated variables influenced symptoms and signs differently. It is important to define a baseline characterizing muscular weakness in SLE before conclusions are drawn regarding its significance and prevalence.