A Study of Achilles Tendon Reflex in Normal Korean and Various Thyroid Diseases

정상한국인(正常韓國人) 및 각종갑상선질환(各種甲狀腺疾患)에서의 아킬레스 건반사시간(腱反射時間)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究)

In an attempt to establish the diagnostic value of Achilles tendon reflex and to determine the normal value of Achilles tendon reflex time in normal Korean, the author measured the Achilles tendon reflex time by photomotograph. This study was carried out in 272 cases with various thyroid diseases and 340 normal Korean. 1) The Achilles tendon reflex time in normal Korean was like this, between 11 years old and 20 years old; male (62cases); $250{\pm}27$ msec, female (36 cases); $266{\pm}27$ msec, between 21 years old and 30 years old; male (38 cases); $271{\pm}27$ msec, female (21 cases); $284{\pm}27$ msec, between 31 years old and 40 years old; male (26 cases); $275{\pm}25$ msec, female (29 cases); $291{\pm}27$ msec, between 41 years old and 50 years old; male (20 cases); $286{\pm}35$ msec, female (24 cases); $307{\pm}42$ msec, between 51 years old and 60 years old, male (20 cases); $296{\pm}33$ msec, female (20 cases); $318{\pm}46$ msec, over 61 years; male (24 cases) $301{\pm}33$ msec, female (20 cases); $325{\pm}35$ msec. The Achilles tendon reflex time was delayed with increasing age and delayed in the female. 2) The Achilles tendon reflex time was markedly shortened to $221{\pm}20$msec in untreated hyperthyroidism. 3) The Achilles tendon reflex time was markedly delayed to $435{\pm}59$msec in hypothyroidism. 4) The Achilles tendon reflex time was not changed significantly in.other thyroid diseases with normal thyroid function. 5) The Achilles tendon reflex time showed good,correlationship with ETR, $T_3RU,\;^{131}I$ thyroid uptake and serum TSH. 6) Reproducibility of Achilles tendon reflex: time was good, and no significant difference between left and right was noted. 7) Diagnostic accuracy of Achilles tendon reflex time was 71% in hyperthyroidism and 90% in hypothyroidism. 8) The Achilles tendon reflex time showed useful test to evaluate the clinical course of the hyperthyroidism.