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[Hypothyroid myopathy. Clinico-pathologic study of 20 cases]
A del Palacio1, J L Trueba, A Cabello
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid.
Anales De Medicina Interna (Madrid, Spain : 1984)
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Hypothyroidism frequently causes muscle weakness and cramps, often linked to myopathy detected through electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy. However, no direct correlation was found between thyroid hormone levels and the severity of muscle issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Muscle Physiology
Context:
- Primary hypothyroidism affects numerous patients globally.
- Subclinical myopathy is a potential complication of hypothyroidism.
- Neurophysiological and neuropathological assessments are crucial for diagnosis.
Purpose:
- To investigate the association between primary hypothyroidism and myopathy.
- To evaluate clinical and sub-clinical myopathy using electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy.
- To correlate specific clinical findings with diagnostic test results.
Summary:
- 70% of 20 hypothyroidism patients exhibited muscle weakness, 60% had cramps.
- Electromyography (EMG) showed myopathic changes in 65% of patients.
- Muscle biopsy revealed fiber subtype alterations in 90%, including type I fiber abnormalities.
Impact:
- Highlights the high prevalence of myopathy in hypothyroidism patients.
- Demonstrates the utility of EMG and muscle biopsy in detecting thyroid-related myopathy.
- Suggests that while myopathy is common, its severity doesn't directly correlate with thyroid hormone levels or disease duration.