Affiliations: [a] Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Reabilitação, Centro Universitário Augusto Motta, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [b] Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [c] Centro de Educação Física Almirante Adalberto Nunes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [d] Departamento de Endocrinologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [e] Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [f] Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Agnaldo José Lopes, Rua Araguaia, 1266, bloco 1/405, Freguesia, Jacarepaguá, 22745-271, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Tel.: +55 21 2576 2030; Fax: +55 21 2576 2030; E-mail:agnaldolopes.uerj@gmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individuals with acromegaly (IwA) may have alterations
in skeletal muscles. Isokinetic testing is the standard method to assess
muscle performance through objective, reliable, and reproducible measures. OBJECTIVES: To assess knee muscles performance of IwA with active
and controlled disease and to correlate the findings with hormone levels,
handgrip strength (HGS), general fatigue, and quality of life. METHODS: Sixteen men with acromegaly (MwA), 21
women with acromegaly (WwA), and 21 healthy controls (nine men and 12 women)
underwent knee isokinetic dynamometry at 75 and 240°/s as well as
isometric dynamometry to assess HGS. The subjects were also assessed using
the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F)
scale, the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), and the Acromegaly Quality of Life
Questionnaire (AcroQoL). RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, MwA and WwA exhibited
significant reductions in the peak moment (PM), maximum work repetition, and
total work for both extension and flexion at both angular velocities. There
were significant differences for the agonist/antagonist ratio at 75°/s
in MwA (44% for active disease vs. 53% for controlled disease vs.
67% for the control group; P = 0.0002) and in WwA (48% for active
disease vs. 58% for controlled disease vs. 66% for the control group;
P = 0.0003). These patients also exhibited decreased HGS values and FACIT-F
scores and increased FIS scores compared with healthy controls. There were
significant correlations between measures obtained by isokinetic
dynamometry, growth hormone (GH) levels, HGS values, and scores on the
general fatigue questionnaires. However, GH levels were more strongly
correlated with the isokinetic variables in MwA than in WwA.
