RESEARCH - Menstrual cyclicity of finger joint size and grip strength in patients with RA

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ls of the Rheumatic Diseases, 1983, Vol 42, 425-430

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PAPERS

Menstrual cyclicity of finger joint size and grip strength in patients with

rheumatoid arthritis

SR Rudge, IC Kowanko and PL Drury

Daily measurements of finger joint size, grip strength, and body weight have

been made throughout 2 complete menstrual cycles in 7 female patients with

rheumatoid arthritis and 6 healthy female controls. Sine wave analysis

showed significant individual cyclical rhythms (p less than 0.05) for finger

joint size (5 patients, 4 controls), nude weight (5 patients, 3 controls),

and grip strength (4 patients, 3 controls). In addition analysis of group

data, on the assumption of a 28-day cycle, showed a significant cycle for

grip strength in the rheumatoid patients, with a nadir at 28 days. In the

normal subjects much of the cyclical variation in finger joint size could be

explained by changes in weight (median 49.5%), but this was not so in

patients with rheumatoid arthritis (median 2.8%). These findings suggest the

existence of a cyclical variation in disease activity in rheumatoid

arthritis.

http://ard.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/42/4/425

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