[Grip strength changes in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Genetics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Context:

• Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid deposition, primarily affecting the peripheral nervous system.
• Current treatments for FAP, such as liver transplantation, have limitations and can negatively impact muscle function.
• Quantitative data on grip strength in FAP patients and comparisons with healthy controls are lacking.

Purpose:

• To analyze and compare hand grip strength (peak force and endurance) in FAP patients with and without liver transplants against a healthy control group.

Summary:

• A study involving 206 participants (FAP patients without transplant, FAP patients with transplant, and healthy controls) assessed grip strength using a dynamometer.
• Results indicated significant differences in weight, BMI, and grip strength between the three groups.
• FAP patients, regardless of transplant status, demonstrated lower grip strength in both hands and reduced left-hand endurance compared to healthy individuals, with age negatively correlating with grip strength in FAP groups.

Impact:

• FAP patients show diminished grip strength, classifying lower according to American College of Sports Medicine norms.
• These findings suggest potential functional limitations and underscore the necessity for specialized hand motor rehabilitation programs.
• This research provides crucial quantitative insights for monitoring disease progression and guiding therapeutic interventions in FAP.