Serum biomarkers of inflammation and muscle strength among women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objectives Muscle strength is an important determinant of physical function in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum biomarkers of inflammation, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP), are associated with differences in muscle strength among individuals without rheumatologic disease. We examined whether serum levels of IL-6 and CRP are associated with upper and lower extremity muscle strength among adult women with SLE. Methods One hundred thirty-six women with SLE participated in this crosssectional study. High-sensitivity CRP was analyzed by nephelometry. IL-6 serum levels were analyzed by high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Upper and lower extremity muscle strength were assessed by grip strength and peak torque of knee extension and flexion, respectively. Regression analyses modeled associations of CRP and IL-6 with upper and lower extremity muscle strength controlling for age, SLE duration, physical activity, prednisone use, BMI, plaquenil use, and pain. Results Higher serum levels of IL-6 and CRP were associated with significantly weaker upper and lower extremity muscle strength even when controlling for covariates. Conclusions Increased serum IL-6 and CRP are associated with clinically significant differences in upper and lower extremity muscle strength and may be useful in identifying those at risk for weakness and decreased physical function.

Increased flexibility, pain reduction and unaltered levels of IL-10 and CD11b + lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were associated with kinesiotherapy

“…Other aspects related to pain in SLE patients seen in this study are flexibility and strength. In SLE patients, bodily pain may be associated with primary fibromyalgia, 37 muscle fatigue, 38 and/or changes in physical and mental aspects, 39,40 so the improvements in flexibility and strength in the kinesiotherapy group probably influenced not only pain reduction, but also the other aspects related to quality of life evaluated by the SF-36 test. The lack of significance of the improvements in the SF-36 scores and in the strength tests was due to the small number of patients in this study.…”

Muscle strength, not muscle mass, determines the health-related quality of life in Indonesian women with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…This result is not surprising, as we could see that individuals with joint pain will likely have reduced physical activity, higher disease activity scores, elevated CRP, and, in turn, need a higher dose of corticosteroids that will influence muscle strength and HRQoL in one way or another. 22–24 Interestingly, different than studies conducted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the elderly, nutritional status, such as vitamin D25OH level, daily protein and PUFA intake, does not seem to be associated with total SarQoL score, nor do physical activity measures, such as weekly IPAQ score and moderate-heavy physical activity. This further emphasises the difference in approach needed to improve the quality of life of patients with lupus according to age, especially in the functional domains such as muscle strength and function.…”

<p>Relationships Between Eating Behaviors and Hand Grip Strength Among Chinese Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…35 Higher levels of inflammatory cytokine are associated with weaker grip strength. 36 Thus, this may also be an explanation. In addition, night eating is not only reported to cause nutritional imbalance but is also associated with poor sleep quality 37 and sleep disturbances, 38 which are related with poor muscle strength.…”