Temperature and weather correlates of myasthenic fatigue

The myasthenic neuromuscular failure tested by nerve stimulation and recording of muscle responses is aggravated by local warming and relieved by local cooling. Small alterations of temperature can elicit quite striking changes. False-negative diagnostic tests are sometimes related to a spontaneous lowering of the muscle temperature, and temperature should be checked routinely. Clinical correlates are consistent in showing that the affected muscles are influenced by even small local temperature changes, such as occur in daily living. This suggests a number of practical recommendations which can help these patients. © 1974.SCOPUS: ar.j