Isokinetic Evaluation of Knee Extensor/Flexor Muscle Strength in Behcet's Patients

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Neurology
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Behçet's disease (BD) is a complex, multisystemic inflammatory disorder.
• Understanding the impact of BD on peripheral muscle function is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess and compare isokinetic knee muscle strength between BD patients and healthy controls.
• To investigate potential deficits in knee flexor and extensor strength in individuals with Behçet's disease.

Main Methods:

• Isokinetic strength testing of knee flexors and extensors was performed at 90°/sec, 120°/sec, and 150°/sec.
• Twenty-five BD patients (excluding those with active knee arthritis) and 25 healthy controls participated.
• Peak torque (Nm) and bodyweight-adjusted peak torque (%) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• BD patients demonstrated significantly lower peak torque (Nm) for both knee extensors and flexors across all tested velocities compared to controls (p < 0.05).
• Reduced bodyweight-adjusted peak torque was also observed in BD patients.
• No significant differences were found in the agonist-antagonist muscle ratios between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Isokinetic assessment reveals diminished knee flexor and extensor muscle strength in patients with Behçet's disease.
• These findings underscore the necessity for regular monitoring of muscle strength in the management of BD.
• Further research may explore interventions to mitigate muscle weakness in BD.