Quantitative muscle testing in childhood dermatomyositis

: Sixteen children with dermatomyositis were followed longitudinally by quantitative muscle testing between 1972 and 1982. The time to achievement of normal muscle strength measured quantitatively was significantly delayed (p less than .001) compared to the time muscle strength was clinically assessed as normal by manual muscle testing. A significant difference was also found between the time normal muscle strength was measured and normal muscle enzymes were achieved (p less than .05). Quantitative muscle testing is a useful adjunct to clinical assessment of muscle strength and determination of muscle enzymes in the therapeutic management of patients with dermatomyositis.