Muscle Weakness

A vague complaint of debility, fatigue, or exhaustion attributable to weakness of various muscles. The weakness can be characterized as subacute or chronic, often progressive, and is a manifestation of many muscle and neuromuscular diseases. (From Wyngaarden et al., Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 19th ed, p2251)

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Networked: 2550 relevant articles (130 outcomes, 119 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Pain (Aches)
2.	Neoplasms (Cancer)
3.	Ophthalmoplegia (External Ophthalmoplegia)
4.	Respiratory Insufficiency (Respiratory Failure)
5.	Atrophy

Experts

1.	Granzier, Henk: 14 articles (01/2015 - 02/2003)
2.	Ottenheijm, Coen A C: 12 articles (11/2015 - 07/2009)
3.	Nishino, Ichizo: 12 articles (04/2015 - 03/2005)
4.	Beggs, Alan H: 10 articles (11/2015 - 07/2009)
5.	Sobue, Gen: 10 articles (06/2015 - 06/2006)
6.	North, Kathryn N: 9 articles (11/2015 - 01/2005)
7.	Oldfors, Anders: 9 articles (07/2015 - 02/2005)
8.	Larsson, Lars: 9 articles (04/2013 - 06/2007)
9.	Vorgerd, Matthias: 8 articles (12/2015 - 07/2002)
10.	Christadoss, Premkumar: 8 articles (08/2015 - 11/2011)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Muscle Weakness:

1.	Prednisolone (Predate)FDA LinkGeneric 07/01/2002 - "The patient was treated with prednisolone, 60 mg/day, which completely cured his muscle weakness and difficulty in walking, and sensory disturbance was gradually alleviated. " 11/01/2001 - "Oral prednisolone (1-2 mg/kg/day) was given in 6 cases and the muscle weakness improved. " 05/01/2000 - "With oral prednisolone administration, muscle weakness and other clinical features improved gradually. " 08/01/1992 - "Treatment with prednisolone improved muscular weakness and the slow NCV. " 01/01/1989 - "Treatment with prednisolone improved muscle weakness, urinary difficulties and struma. "
2.	Immunoglobulins (Immunoglobulin)IBA 01/01/2014 - "Following additional treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, she showed improvement in her muscle weakness. " 05/01/1999 - "After an administration of 25 g/day of human gamma-immunoglobulin for 5 days, conduction block as well as F-wave abnormalities in the left median and left ulnar nerve were improved, yet no improvement of muscle weakness was seen. " 01/01/2014 - "He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and showed a satisfactory clinical recovery of muscle weakness, Raynaud's phenomenon and autonomic disturbances. " 07/01/2002 - "A treatment by corticoid and secondary intravenous immune globulins because of corticoid-resistance of the dermatopolymyositis and oesophagus injury led to a significant improvement of the cutaneous signs and of the muscular weakness. " 04/01/2011 - "Intravenous administration of immunoglobulins was started because of marked worsening of her disease-muscle weakness, generalized anasarca, and involvement of her bulbar muscles. "
3.	Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIG)FDA Link 01/01/2007 - "After IVIG, the muscle weakness of the distal upper extremities improved together with increased F wave-evoked frequencies. " 06/01/2003 - "Since the first IVIg mildly improved muscle weakness, we tried the second IVIg of PEG-glob. " 08/01/2010 - "Because muscle weakness of the hands worsened several months after IVIg therapy, we attempted another course of IVIg therapy. " 03/01/2003 - "Despite the introduction of IVIG, 23% of children with GBS had evidence of long-term mild muscle weakness, with minimal impact on function. " 11/01/1997 - "However, after six months of maintenance IVIg treatment (0.4 g/kg weekly) muscle weakness gradually deteriorated below pretreatment levels despite continued treatment. "
4.	Edrophonium (Tensilon)FDA LinkGeneric 01/01/2010 - "Intravenous edrophonium almost completely abolished the nystagmus and adducting muscle weakness, and improved the strength of proximal muscles groups. " 07/01/1990 - "On admission in August, 1988, Gowers' sign, decreased tendon reflexes and muscle weakness improved by the injection of edrophonium were found. " 01/01/2013 - "We examined sex, familiarity, age of onset, clinical symptoms, and response to tensilon test, patellar and pupillary reflexes, presence of cranial nerve involvement, Gowers' sign, presence of ptosis, grade of muscular weakness, and response to the treatment and gene deletions. " 04/01/2001 - "Preoperative assessment included clinical evaluation of muscle weakness, edrophonium testing, electromyography, lung function testing, chest X-rays and CAT scans. " 07/01/1996 - "An edrophonium test was positive: muscle weakness was transiently alleviated. "
5.	MethylprednisoloneFDA LinkGeneric 10/01/1998 - "After methylprednisolone pulse therapy, muscle weakness and sensory disturbance improved. " 01/01/2009 - "He was treated with high dose methylprednisolone, which caused severe aggravation of muscle weakness. " 01/01/2008 - "The muscle weakness and respiratory failure gradually improved after intravenous methylprednisolone administration, and the serum CK level was normalized in several days. " 09/01/1999 - "Pulse methylprednisolone therapy for arthritis causing muscle weakness." 01/01/1983 - "A high dose of methylprednisolone (pulse therapy) was given to 3 patients with uncontrolled dermatomyositis (DM) accompanied by severe muscle weakness. "
6.	AntibodiesIBA 01/01/1987 - "However, some patients with severe muscle weakness had low titers of antibodies, and some patients in remission or with only ocular manifestations had high titers. " 12/16/2000 - "The diagnosis is clinical, based mainly on the characteristics of the muscle weakness and motor disorders, confirmed by serological methods (demonstration of antibodies) pharmacological and electromyographic tests, by imaging studies and in some cases biopsy. " 04/01/2015 - "Overall 39% of patients with PNP experienced muscle weakness, and 35% were diagnosed with MG. Moreover, 35% had positive anti-AChR and 28% had anti-AChE antibodies, similarly to NP-MG (33% and 17%, respectively, P > 0·05). " 01/01/2015 - "Muscle weakness might be related to GM1 antibodies. " 04/01/2014 - "Very young children may present with generalized muscle weakness already during the second year of life and in this patient group, specific antibodies can only be slightly increased or even negative. "
7.	PotassiumIBA 04/01/2011 - "The muscle weakness improved rapidly by substitution of potassium and an alcalescent substance. " 01/01/2012 - "Individuals who were admitted with sudden onset generalized muscle weakness, had history of previous attack and serum potassium level <3mmol/l or >5.5mmol/l were included in this study. " 03/01/2015 - "In muscle, low plasma potassium increases resting membrane potential (hyperpolarization) of myocytes that tend to make muscle more refractory to excitation, leading to muscle weakness. " 06/01/2014 - "It is characterized by acute muscular weakness with low levels of potassium (<3.5 meq/L). " 11/01/2013 - "We report a male patient in his mid-20s with progressive episodes of flaccid muscle weakness, associated low serum potassium levels, and a pathologic decrement in the long exercise test. "
8.	EnzymesIBA 12/01/1989 - "Despite the fact she became euthyroid with the treatment, muscle weakness as well as elevated concentrations of muscle enzymes were not improved. " 04/01/2003 - "Despite our reduced number of study samples, our study also suggests a relationship between severe muscle weakness and high seric muscle enzymes." 08/01/2001 - "The amyopathic state is defined by a lack of muscle weakness and through diagnostic tests, including serum muscle enzymes, electromyogram studies, and muscle biopsies, that are usually normal or show only minimal abnormalities. " 12/01/2015 - "They are characterized by typical laboratory and clinical features including muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzymes, characteristic histopathology of muscle biopsies, as well as electromyography abnormalities. " 08/01/2014 - "They present similarly with proximal muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzymes, persistence of symptoms despite cessation of the statin, with need for immunosuppression. "
9.	CreatineIBA 01/01/2013 - "To evaluate the efficacy of creatine compared to placebo for the treatment of muscle weakness in muscle diseases. " 01/01/2011 - "To evaluate the efficacy of creatine compared to placebo for the treatment of muscle weakness in muscle diseases. " 10/01/1998 - "The decrease in intracellular creatine concentration observed in a number of muscle diseases may deplete energy homeostasis and may, therefore, be one of the factors determining and/or aggravating muscle weakness and degeneration. " 07/30/1960 - "Production of muscular weakness in rats by a creatine analogue." 03/01/2000 - "The objective of this study was to examine the effect of oral creatine supplementation on muscle weakness, disease activity and activities of daily living in patients with RA. "
10.	Vitamin DFDA LinkGeneric 01/01/2015 - "Low levels of vitamin D are related to muscle weakness, poor balance, and higher risk of falls, and can therefore have a major impact on performance and safety at work. " 09/01/2013 - "Oral supplementation with vitamin D should be considered in DM1 and might mitigate muscle weakness." 06/01/2011 - "Vitamin D supplementation was explained by the number of complications of hypovitaminosis D (odds ratio [OR]=1.61, P<0.001) including vertebral fractures (adjusted OR=1.49, P=0.007), non-vertebral fractures (adjusted OR=1.74, P=0.026), accidental falls (adjusted OR=1.44, P=0.015), and muscle weakness (adjusted OR=3.96, P<0.001), but not by the number of causes of hypovitaminosis D (P=0.464). " 04/01/2010 - "Vitamin D insufficiency, which is prevalent in older individuals, is associated with bone and muscle weakness and falls. " 02/01/2010 - "Insufficient vitamin D status, commonly found in older people, has been associated with muscle weakness which, in old age, impairs mobility and is a risk factor for falling. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Plasmapheresis 07/01/1999 - "Therapeutic trial of plasmapheresis was effective for her muscle weakness. " 06/15/2003 - "Muscle weakness responded well to double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) followed by i.v.Ig, but relapsed 45 days after the initial treatment. " 09/01/2005 - "Late-onset narcolepsy presenting as rapidly progressing muscle weakness: response to plasmapheresis." 04/15/1990 - "A 7-year-old sexually intact male Labrador Retriever with regurgitation and generalized muscular weakness resulting from acquired myasthenia gravis received 2 plasmapheresis treatments in combination with corticosteroid treatment. " 10/01/2001 - "We performed plasmapheresis four times, which improved her level of consciousness, hyperesthesia, external ophthalmoplegia and muscle weakness, and led to the normalization of brain and spinal cord MRI. "
2.	Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy) 05/01/2003 - "After the second course of chemotherapy, the serum level of antivoltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) antibody decreased from 190 pg/ml to 120 pg/ml. Marked improvement of the muscle weakness was recognized only after 3 courses of chemotherapy. " 01/01/2016 - "ICU-acquired muscle weakness can be prevented by early treatment of the underlying disease, goal-directed therapy, restrictive use of immobilizing medications, optimal nutrition, activating ventilatory modes, early rehabilitation, and preventive drug therapy. " 03/01/2012 - "In this sample (n = 109), fallers (n = 21) had higher doses of chemotherapy(p = 0.045), more neuropathic symptoms (p = 0.016), higher scores on the symptom experience (p = 0.005) and interference items (=0.001) on the CIPNAT, more severe muscle weakness (p < 0.001) and loss of balance (p < 0.001), and higher interference with walking(p < 0.001) and driving (p = 0.022). " 12/01/2008 - "She showed partial response to the treatment, whereas the skin lesions and muscle weakness deteriorated accompanied with bone marrow suppression due to chemotherapy. " 01/01/2007 - "Chemotherapy and physiotherapy alleviated neurological muscle weakness but did not have any effect on the hip functionality. "
3.	Parathyroidectomy 01/01/1987 - "After subtotal parathyroidectomy, we observed a marked improvement in respiratory muscle strength (27 vs. 87 cm H2O) and disappearance of proximal muscle weakness." 09/01/2004 - "To evaluate the effects of parathyroidectomy on the nonspecific symptoms associated with primary hyperparathyroidism, with an emphasis on distinguishing sleepiness from muscle weakness. " 06/01/1981 - "Symptoms relieved by parathyroidectomy included bone pain, pruritus, soft tissue calcification, muscle weakness and healing of fractures. " 05/01/2015 - "We report a 12-year-old girl who presented with recurrent renal calculi, muscular weakness and inability to walk; was diagnosed to have parathyroid adenoma and underwent parathyroidectomy. " 10/01/1991 - "Our study documents the following: (1) only 2 of 103 (2%) patients referred for parathyroidectomy had "true" asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism; (2) only symptoms of fatigue, bone pain, and weight loss correlated with the degree of hypercalcemia, whereas muscular weakness, psychiatric symptoms, nocturia, polyuria, recent memory loss, constipation, and nephrolithiasis did not; (3) only 1 of 15 patients who were referred as asymptomatic were truly asymptomatic after more thorough questioning, and all 14 improved following parathyroidectomy; (4) 81% of the patients who were referred with symptoms improved following parathyroidectomy; and (5) permanent complications occurred in only 4 patients. "
4.	Aftercare (After-Treatment) 03/01/1976 - "In two of the cases a return to the euthyroid state after treatment was associated with marked clinical improvement in muscle weakness. " 12/01/2014 - "Our findings indicate that these cytokine changes could underpin the subjective symptoms, such as perceived muscle weakness and concentration difficulties, experienced by women who feel fatigued after treatment." 09/01/2014 - "We report a 66-year-old Caucasian female who had progressive proximal muscle weakness after treatment with statins. " 01/01/2013 - "Muscle weakness and fatigability after treatment in the ICU." 12/01/1994 - "End points assessed before and after treatment schedules were neurological disability score; muscle weakness of the neurological disability score; summated compound muscle action potentials of ulnar, median, and peroneal nerves; summated sensory nerve action potentials of ulnar and sural nerves; and vibratory detection threshold of the great toe using CASE IV. Observers were masked as to treatment used. "
5.	Activities of Daily Living (ADL) 01/01/2015 - "These treatments finally improved the muscle weakness and activities of daily living, and the two patients were discharged after recovery. " 11/01/1994 - "Approximately 75% of patients, with all degrees of spasticity, reported subjective improvement without an increase in muscle weakness, but there was no improvement in activities of daily living depending on movement. " 03/01/2015 - "This study aimed to clarify the influence of trunk muscle weakness on activities of daily living items. " 01/01/2014 - "The goal of the present study is to calculate the capability gap for the lower limb during ADL when muscle weakness is present, which is needed for appropriate selection of actuators to be integrated in exoskeletons. " 03/01/1990 - "This study revealed that the non-organic factors such as insidious generalized muscular weakness or decreased spontaneity were important as causes of the deterioration of ADL in the chronic stage of the senile ICH. "