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Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases 2024Despite advances in the medical management of the disease, respiratory involvement remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality in children and adults with...
BACKGROUND
Despite advances in the medical management of the disease, respiratory involvement remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality in children and adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this systematic literature review was to synthesize and grade published evidence of factors associated with respiratory health and function in DMD.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for records of studies published from January 1, 2000 (to ensure relevance to current care practices), up until and including December 31, 2022, reporting evidence of prognostic indicators and predictors of disease progression in DMD. The quality of evidence (i.e., very low to high) was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework.
RESULTS
The bibliographic search strategy resulted in the inclusion of 29 articles. In total, evidence of 10 factors associated with respiratory health and function in patients with DMD was identified: glucocorticoid exposure (high- to very low-quality evidence), DMD mutations (low-quality evidence), DMD genetic modifiers (low-quality evidence), other pharmacological interventions (i.e., ataluren, eteplirsen, idebenone, and tamoxifen) (moderate- to very low-quality evidence), body mass index and weight (low-quality evidence), and functional ability (low-quality evidence).
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, we identified a total of 10 factors associated with respiratory health in function in DMD, encompassing both pharmacological therapies, genetic mutations and modifiers, and patient clinical characteristics. Yet, more research is needed to further delineate sources of respiratory heterogeneity, in particular the genotype-phenotype association and the impact of novel DMD therapies in a real-world setting. Our synthesis and grading should be helpful to inform clinical practice and future research of this heavily burdened patient population.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Glucocorticoids; Activities of Daily Living; Disease Progression
PubMed: 37980679
DOI: 10.3233/JND-230094 -
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes Aug 2020Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited X-linked neuromuscular disorder. A number of questionnaires are available to assess quality of life in DMD, but there... (Review)
Review
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited X-linked neuromuscular disorder. A number of questionnaires are available to assess quality of life in DMD, but there are concerns about their validity. This systematic review aimed to appraise critically the content and structural validity of quality of life instruments for DMD. Five databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library) were searched, with supplementary searches in Google Scholar. We included articles with evidence on the content and/or structural validity of quality of life instruments in DMD, and/or instrument development. Evidence was evaluated against the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) criteria. Fifty five articles featured a questionnaire assessing quality of life in DMD. Forty instruments were extracted and 26 underwent assessment. Forty-one articles contained evidence on content or structural validity (including 37 development papers). Most instruments demonstrated low quality evidence and unsatisfactory or inconsistent validity in DMD, with the majority not featuring direct validation studies in this population. Only KIDSCREEN received an adequate rating for instrument design and a satisfactory result for content validity based on its development, yet, like the majority of PROMs, the measure has not been directly validated for use in DMD. Further research is needed on the validity of quality of life instruments in DMD, including content and structural validity studies in this population.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Validation Studies as Topic
PubMed: 32746836
DOI: 10.1186/s12955-020-01511-z -
Cells Jun 2021Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a muscular disease characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Life expectancy is between 30 and 50 years, and death is...
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a muscular disease characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Life expectancy is between 30 and 50 years, and death is correlated with cardiac or respiratory complications. Currently, there is no cure, so there is a great interest in new pharmacological targets. Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) seems to be a potential target for DMD. In muscle tissue, SIRT1 exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study is to summarize all the findings of in vivo and in vitro literature studies about the potential role of SIRT1 in DMD. A systematic literature search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-three articles satisfied the eligibility criteria. It emerged that SIRT1 inhibition led to muscle fragility, while conversely its activation improved muscle function. Additionally, resveratrol, a SIRT1 activator, has brought beneficial effects to the skeletal, cardiac and respiratory muscles by exerting anti-inflammatory activity that leads to reduced myofiber wasting.
Topics: Enzyme Activators; Humans; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Resveratrol; Sirtuin 1
PubMed: 34205021
DOI: 10.3390/cells10061380 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2023'Neurodisability' refers to a group of conditions that result primarily from a neurological problem (e.g. cerebral palsy), neuromuscular problem (e.g. a muscular... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
'Neurodisability' refers to a group of conditions that result primarily from a neurological problem (e.g. cerebral palsy), neuromuscular problem (e.g. a muscular dystrophy) or developmental problems (e.g. developmental impairment, Down syndrome). Children and young people with these conditions may have similar problems with mobility, feeding and airway clearance. Chest and breathing problems (including pulmonary infections) are commonly experienced by children and young people with neurodisabilities and are often a cause for them requiring hospital care. For those who are unable to completely clear their airway of secretions, or have frequent infections, pulmonary infections may not be able to be completely eradicated and therefore become chronic. It is unclear what treatment is best for children and young people in this position.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness and adverse effects of antibiotic treatment for chronic pulmonary infection in children and young people living with a neurodisability, including quality-of-life measures, effects on hospitalisation and healthcare contacts.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Airways Trials Register, Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group Register of Trials (CARIGRT), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), OpenGrey (www.opengrey.eu) and three trials registries up to 8 February 2022. Additionally, we identified related systematic reviews through Epistemonikos.org (8 February 2022) and searched reference lists of these.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised controlled trials of antibiotic therapy for chronic pulmonary infection in children and young people up to the age of 18 living with a neurodisability were eligible.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two independent review authors screened results of the searches against predetermined inclusion criteria, resolving any discrepancies by discussion.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified a total of 1968 independent records through our searches, of which we assessed six full-text articles for eligibility. We identified one ongoing study as well as one related substudy but did not identify any completed studies eligible for inclusion in this systematic review.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this systematic review highlight a lack of evidence in the antibiotic treatment of chronic pulmonary infection in children and young people up to the age of 18 living with a neurodisability. Further research examining this topic is therefore required.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Respiration Disorders; Hospitalization; Pneumonia; Neurodevelopmental Disorders
PubMed: 36757320
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013813.pub2 -
Pharmacological Reports : PR Oct 2020Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked neuromuscular childhood disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and degeneration and results in...
BACKGROUND
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked neuromuscular childhood disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and degeneration and results in functional decline, loss of ambulation and early death of young men due to cardiac or respiratory failure. Although the major cause of the disease has been known for many years-namely mutation in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin, one of the largest human genes-DMD is still incurable, and its treatment is challenging.
METHODS
A comprehensive and systematic review of literature on the gene, cell, and pharmacological experimental therapies aimed at restoring functional dystrophin or to counteract the associated processes contributing to disease progression like inflammation, fibrosis, calcium signaling or angiogenesis was carried out.
RESULTS
Although some therapies lead to satisfying effects in skeletal muscle, they are highly ineffective in the heart; therefore, targeting defective cardiac and respiratory systems is vital in DMD patients. Unfortunately, most of the pharmacological compounds treat only the symptoms of the disease. Some drugs addressing the underlying cause, like eteplirsen, golodirsen, and ataluren, have recently been conditionally approved; however, they can correct only specific mutations in the DMD gene and are therefore suitable for small sub-populations of affected individuals.
CONCLUSION
In this review, we summarize the possible therapeutic options and describe the current status of various, still imperfect, strategies used for attenuating the disease progression.
Topics: Animals; Dystrophin; Heart; Humans; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Mutation
PubMed: 32691346
DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00134-x -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases May 2022There are scarce publications regarding the presentation and outcome of Becker muscular dystrophy in adulthood when idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is the initial... (Review)
Review
There are scarce publications regarding the presentation and outcome of Becker muscular dystrophy in adulthood when idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is the initial disease manifestation. We performed a systematic review using Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus to identify cases of adults with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy who were subsequently diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy from inception through August 2020. Six cases were found. We identified young males (Median age: 26 years) with Becker muscular dystrophy who first presented with dilated cardiomyopathy. Most patients initially presented with congestive heart failure symptoms (5/6, 83%), and had a median left ventricular ejection fraction of 23%. One case did have calf pseudohypertrophy. Musculoskeletal symptoms later appeared one to six years after the initial dilated cardiomyopathy presentation. Heart transplantation was the most common management strategy (4/6, 67%). A left ventricular assist device was used in one case as a bridge to heart transplant. Dilated cardiomyopathy can be the initial presentation of Becker muscular dystrophy in the third to fourth decades of life in adult patients, and musculoskeletal symptoms can be subclinical.
Topics: Adult; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Heart Failure; Humans; Male; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 35549971
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02346-1 -
Muscle & Nerve Jan 2024In this review we sought to characterize the lived experience of people living with FSHD (pwFSHD) to help clinicians to orient their services to the needs of these... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
In this review we sought to characterize the lived experience of people living with FSHD (pwFSHD) to help clinicians to orient their services to the needs of these individuals.
METHODS
Five electronic databases were systematically searched for qualitative research studies containing quotations from pwFSHD. ENhancing Transparency in REporting the Synthesis of Qualitative research and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines informed the methodology. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklist tool, which measures the methodological quality of qualitative research. Data extracted from included studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis.
RESULTS
Ninety-nine pwFSHD took part in the six studies included in this review - from research teams based in two countries. Five descriptive themes emerged: "Engaging with life as symptoms progress"; "The emotional journey"; "A family burden to bear"; "Social connection and disconnection"; and "Tension between visibility and invisibility." From these, two analytical themes were derived: "The emotional challenge of continuing and intensifying adaptation" and "The relational burden of rare disease."
DISCUSSION
The lived experience of pwFSHD is characterized by physical, emotional, and social challenges that impact on engagement with life, particularly as symptoms progress. Further research is needed to provide a fuller understanding of the experience of pain in FSHD and of the lived experience of FSHD across cultures.
Topics: Humans; Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral; Qualitative Research; Emotions; Pain; Physical Examination
PubMed: 37691606
DOI: 10.1002/mus.27964 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2020Muscular dystrophy causes weakness and muscle loss. The effect of muscular exercise in these patients remains controversial. To assess the effects of muscular exercise...
Muscular dystrophy causes weakness and muscle loss. The effect of muscular exercise in these patients remains controversial. To assess the effects of muscular exercise vs. no exercise in patients with muscular dystrophy. We performed a comprehensive systematic literature search in the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Pedro electronic databases, as well as in the reference literature. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of muscular exercise on muscle strength, endurance during walking, motor abilities, and fatigue. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to quantify the effect associated with each outcome. We performed pairwise meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses (TSA) and used GRADE to rate the overall certainty of evidence. We identified 13 RCTs involving 617 patients. The median duration of exercise interventions was 16 weeks [interquartile range [IQR] 12-24]. In the patients with facio-scapulo-humeral dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy, no significant difference in extensor muscle strength was noted between the exercise and the control groups [four studies, 115 patients, MD 4.34, 95% CI -4.20 to 12.88, = 69%; = 0.32; minimal important difference [MID] 5.39 m]. Exercise was associated with improved endurance during walking [five studies, 380 patients, MD 17.36 m, 95% CI 10.91-23.81, = 0; < 0.00001; MID 34 m]. TSA excluded random error as a cause of the findings for endurance during walking. Differences in fatigue and motor abilities were small. Not enough information was found for other types of dystrophy. Muscular exercise did not improve muscle strength and was associated with modest improvements in endurance during walking in patients with facio-scapulo-humeral and myotonic dystrophy. Future trials should explore which type of muscle exercise could lead to better improvements in muscle strength. CRD42019127456.
PubMed: 33281695
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00958 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2021Biomarkers play a vital role in clinical care. They enable early diagnosis and treatment by identifying a patient's condition and disease course and act as an outcome... (Review)
Review
Biomarkers play a vital role in clinical care. They enable early diagnosis and treatment by identifying a patient's condition and disease course and act as an outcome measure that accurately evaluates the efficacy of a new treatment or drug. Due to the rapid development of digital technologies, digital biomarkers are expected to grow tremendously. In the era of change, this scoping review was conducted to see which digital biomarkers are progressing in neuromuscular disorders, a diverse and broad-range disease group among the neurological diseases, to discover available evidence for their feasibility and reliability. Thus, a total of 10 studies were examined: 9 observational studies and 1 animal study. Of the observational studies, studies were conducted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients. Non-peer reviewed poster presentations were not considered, as the articles may lead to erroneous results. The only animal study included in the present review investigated the mice model of ALS for detecting rest disturbances using a non-invasive digital biomarker.
PubMed: 34359358
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11071275 -
Muscle & Nerve Mar 2022Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is associated with progressive muscle weakness, loss of ambulation (LOA), and early mortality. In this review we have synthesized... (Review)
Review
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is associated with progressive muscle weakness, loss of ambulation (LOA), and early mortality. In this review we have synthesized published data on the clinical course of DMD by genotype. Using a systematic search implemented in Medline and Embase, 53 articles were identified that describe the clinical course of DMD, with pathogenic variants categorizable by exon skip or stop-codon readthrough amenability and outcomes presented by age. Outcomes described included those related to ambulatory, cardiac, pulmonary, or cognitive function. Estimates of the mean (95% confidence interval) age at LOA ranged from 9.1 (8.7-9.6) years among 90 patients amenable to skipping exon 53 to 11.5 (9.5-13.5) years among three patients amenable to skipping exon 8. Although function worsened with age, the impact of genotype was less clear for other outcomes (eg, forced vital capacity and left ventricular ejection fraction). Understanding the distribution of pathogenic variants is important for studies in DMD, as this research suggests major differences in the natural history of disease. In addition, specific details of the use of key medications, including corticosteroids, antisense oligonucleotides, and cardiac medications, should be reported.
Topics: Child; Dystrophin; Genotype; Humans; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 34878187
DOI: 10.1002/mus.27463