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Weakness (proximal)

Authoring team

This is likely to be the result of a myopathy (especially if there is no associated sensory loss).

Possible causes include:

  • genetic conditions
    • muscular dystrophies
    • Kugelberg-Welander disease

  • an acquired myopathy (remembered by the mnemonic PACE, PODS)
    • P polymyositis and dermatomyositis
    • A alcohol
    • C carcinoma
    • E endocrine, e.g. hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypopituitarism, acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome
    • P periodic paralysis, e.g. hypokalaemic, hyperkalaemic, normokalaemic
    • O osteomalacia
    • D drugs, e.g. steroids, clofibrate, chloroquine
    • S sarcoidosis

  • myasthenia gravis

  • others: note that a proximal myopathy may occur in some peripheral neuropathies, e.g. alcohol, connective tissue disease, paraneoplastic syndrome

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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