The maximal bite and hands grip force, in patients with molecular diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the condition of the masticatory muscles, evaluated by measuring the maximal bite and hands grip force, in patients with molecular diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy (MD) and to compare this with a matched group of healthy individuals.Study design. The bite and hands grip force of 34 patients with molecular diagnosis of MD were evaluated. An electronic dynamometer was employed for the bite force and a mechanical dynamometer for the hands grip force evaluation. For comparison among sides of the same group (related) Wilcoxon's proof and between the same side of different groups (independent) Mann-Whitney U test (α = 0.05) was used.Results. The mean bite force in the patient group was 127.5 N (both sides) and in the control group 441 N (both sides). Regarding the hands force, this was 59 N in the patient group (both sides) and 343 N on the right and 314 N on the left side in the control group.Conclusion. The bite and hands grip forces were significantly lower in the patient group when compared to the normal controls, without there being significant difference regarding gender, preferential side of mastication, or hands. The presence of the anticipation phenomenon was observed where the bite and hands grip forces were lower in subsequent generations of the same family. Objective. To investigate the condition of the masticatory muscles, evaluated by measuring the maximal bite and hands grip force, in patients with molecular diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy (MD) and to compare this with a matched group of healthy individuals. Study design. The bite and hands grip force of 34 patients with molecular diagnosis of MD were evaluated. An electronic dynamometer was employed for the bite force and a mechanical dynamometer for the hands grip force evaluation. For comparison among sides of the same group (related) Wilcoxon's proof and between the same side of different groups (independent) Mann-Whitney U test (α = 0.05) was used. Results. The mean bite force in the patient group was 127.5 N (both sides) and in the control group 441 N (both sides). Regarding the hands force, this was 59 N in the patient group (both sides) and 343 N on the right and 314 N on the left side in the control group. Conclusion. The bite and hands grip forces were significantly lower in the patient group when compared to the normal controls, without there being significant difference regarding gender, preferential side of mastication, or hands. The presence of the anticipation phenomenon was observed where the bite and hands grip forces were lower in subsequent generations of the same family.