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To the Editor: It has been reported that 80% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) experience generalized fatigue.^1-2 Although fatigue can significantly affect quality of life, few studies have addressed its etiology in PBC. Some reports suggest that there may be a significant organic component to the fatigue described by patients with PBC,² perhaps as a result of peripheral muscle dysfunction.³ We sought to examine the relationship between peripheral muscle dysfunction and fatigue in a larger sample of patients with PBC.

Methods

Peripheral muscle function was measured with a grip strength protocol in 18 female patients with PBC. Eight patients reported severe fatigue as assessed by the fatigue impact score (mean score, 85 of 160 possible points)^{2, 4} and 10 reported minimal fatigue (mean score, 7). We also obtained data from 14 healthy female control subjects who were similar in age. Patients unable to complete the grip strength protocol for nonfatigue-related . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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