Burden, professional support, and social network in families of children and young adults with muscular dystrophies.

INTRODUCTION: This study explores burden and social and professional support in families of young patients with muscular dystrophies (MDs) in Italy. METHODS: The study was carried out on 502 key relatives of 4- to 25-year-old patients suffering from Duchenne, Becker, or Limb-Girdle MD who were living with at least 1 adult relative. RESULTS: A total of 77.1% of relatives reported feelings of loss, 74.0% had feelings of sadness, and 59.1% had constraints in leisure activities. Burden was higher among relatives of patients with higher disability and who spent more daily hours in caregiving. Practical difficulties were higher among relatives who perceived lower help in patient emergencies and less practical support by their social network. Psychological burden was higher in those relatives who were unemployed, those with poorer support in emergencies, and those with lower social contacts. CONCLUSIONS: Caring for patients with MDs may be demanding for relatives even in the early stages of these disorders, especially when social support is poor and the patient's disability increases.

Psychological and practical difficulties among parents and healthy siblings of children with Duchenne vs. Becker muscular dystrophy: an Italian comparative study.

This study explored the burden in parents and healthy siblings of 4-17 year-old patients with Duchenne (DMD) and Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophies, and whether the burden varied according to clinical aspects and social resources. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, patient's clinical history, parent and healthy children burden, and on parent's social resources were collected using self-reported questionnaires administered to 336 parents of patients with DMD (246) and BMD (90). Parents of patients with DMD reported higher burden than those of patients with BMD, especially concerning feeling of loss (84.3% DMD vs. 57.4% BMD), stigma (44.2% DMD vs. 5.5% BMD) and neglect of hobbies (69.0% DMD vs. 32.5% BMD). Despite the burden, 66% DMD and 62.4% BMD parents stated the caregiving experience had a positive impact on their lives. A minority of parents believed MD has a negative influence on the psychological well-being (31.0% DMD vs. 12.8% BMD), and social life of unaffected children (25.7% vs. 18.4%). In the DMD group, burden correlated with duration of illness and parent age, and burden was higher among parents with lower social contacts and support in emergencies. In DMD, difficulties among healthy children were reported as higher by parents who were older, had higher burden and lower social contacts. In both groups, burden increased in relation to patient disability. These findings underline that the psychological support to be provided to parents of patients with MD, should take into account clinical features of the disease.

Treatment with ataluren in four symptomatic Duchenne carriers. A pilot study.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating X-linked neuromuscular disorder caused by dystrophin gene deletions (75%), duplications (15-20%) and point mutations (5-10%), a small portion of which are nonsense mutations. Women carrying dystrophin gene mutations are commonly unaffected because the wild X allele may produce a sufficient amount of the dystrophin protein. However, approximately 8-10% of them may experience muscle symptoms and 50% of those over 40 years develop cardiomyopathy. The presence of symptoms defines the individual as an affected "symptomatic or manifesting carrier". Though there is no effective cure for DMD, therapies are available to slow the decline of muscle strength and delay the onset and progression of cardiac and respiratory impairment. These include ataluren for patients with nonsense mutations, and antisense oligonucleotides therapies, for patients with specific deletions. Symptomatic DMD female carriers are not included in these indications and little data documenting their management, often entrusted to the discretion of individual doctors, is present in the literature. In this article, we report the clinical and instrumental outcomes of four symptomatic DMD carriers, aged between 26 and 45 years, who were treated with ataluren for 21 to 73 months (average 47.3), and annually evaluated for muscle strength, respiratory and cardiological function. Two patients retain independent ambulation at ages 33 and 45, respectively. None of them developed respiratory involvement or cardiomyopathy. No clinical adverse effects or relevant abnormalities in routine laboratory values, were observed.

Gain and loss of upper limb abilities in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients: A 24-month study.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular condition characterized by muscle weakness. The Performance of upper limb (PUL) test is designed to evaluate upper limb function in DMD patients across three domains. The aim of this study is to identify frequently lost or gained PUL 2.0 abilities at distinct functional stages in DMD patients. This retrospective study analyzed prospectively collected data on 24-month PUL 2.0 changes related to ambulatory function. Ambulant patients were categorized based on initial 6MWT distance, non-ambulant patients by time since ambulation loss. Each PUL 2.0 item was classified as shift up, no change, or shift down. The study's cohort incuded 274 patients, with 626 paired evaluations at the 24-month mark. Among these, 55.1 % had activity loss, while 29.1 % had gains. Ambulant patients showed the lowest loss rates, mainly in the shoulder domain. The highest loss rate was in the shoulder domain in the transitioning subgroup and in elbow and distal domains in the non-ambulant patients. Younger ambulant patients demonstrated multiple gains, whereas in the other functional subgroups there were fewer gains, mostly tied to singular activities. Our findings highlight divergent upper limb domain progression, partly linked to functional status and baseline function.

Xp21 contiguous gene deletion syndrome presenting as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and glycerol kinase deficiency associated with intellectual disability: case report and review literature.

The contiguous gene deletion syndromes (CGDS) are rare genomic disorders resulting from the deletion of large segments of DNA, manifested as the concurrence of apparently unrelated clinical features. A typical example of CGDS is Xp21 contiguous gene deletion syndrome that involves GK and its neigh-boring genes (usually DMD and NR0B1) and results in a complex phenotype, which is related to the size of deletion and involved genes. Development delay and intellectual disability are almost a constant feature of patients with CGDS. We report the case of a boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD) as part of the contiguous gene deletion syndrome Xp2.1, in association with intellectual disability (ID) in whom multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) test first identified a hemizygous deletion involving the entire dystrophin gene. Subsequently, the array CGH study identified a maternally inherited hemizygous deletion of the Xp21.2-Xp21.1 region of approximately 3.7Mb that included both DMD and GK genes confirming the diagnosis of Xp21 CGDS. Moreover, we report a review of the cases published in the literature over the last 20 years, for which a better description of the genes involved in the syndrome was available. Intellectual disability does not appear as a constant feature of the syndrome, reiterating the concept that complex GKD syndrome results from small deletions that affect closely related but separate loci for DMD, GK and adrenal hypoplasia, rather than a single large deletion including all genes. This case highlights the importance of more in-depth genetic investigations in presence of apparently unrelated clinical findings, allowing an accurate diagnosis of contiguous gene deletion syndromes.

Spectrum of Genetic Variants in the Dystrophin Gene: A Single Centre Retrospective Analysis of 750 Duchenne and Becker Patients from Southern Italy.

Dystrophinopathies are X-linked recessive muscle disorders caused by mutations in the dystrophin (DMD) gene that include deletions, duplications, and point mutations. Correct diagnosis is important for providing adequate patient care and family planning, especially at this time when mutation-specific therapies are available. We report a large single-centre study on the spectrum of DMD gene variants observed in 750 patients analyzed for suspected Duchenne (DMD) or Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophy, over the past 30 years, at the Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics of the University of Campania. We found 534 (71.21%) large deletions, 73 (9.73%) large duplications, and 112 (14.93%) point mutations, of which 44 (5.9%) were small ins/del causing frame-shifts, 57 (7.6%) nonsense mutations, 8 (1.1%) splice site and 3 (0.4%) intronic mutations, and 31 (4.13%) non mutations. Moreover, we report the prevalence of the different types of mutations in patients with DMD and BMD according to their decade of birth, from 1930 to 2020, and correlate the data to the different techniques used over the years. In the most recent decades, we observed an apparent increase in the prevalence of point mutations, probably due to the use of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). In conclusion, in southern Italy, deletions are the most frequent variation observed in DMD and BMD patients followed by point mutations and duplications, as elsewhere in the world. NGS was useful to identify point mutations in cases of strong suspicion of DMD/BMD negative on deletions/duplications analyses. In the era of personalized medicine and availability of new causative therapies, a collective effort is necessary to enable DMD and BMD patients to have timely genetic diagnoses and avoid late implementation of standard of care and late initiation of appropriate treatment.

Improvement of survival in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: retrospective analysis of 835 patients.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common muscle disease in children. Historically, DMD results in loss of ambulation between ages 7 and 13 years and death in the teens or 20s. In order to determine whether survival has improved over the decades and whether the impact of nocturnal ventilation combined with a better management of cardiac involvement has been able to modify the pattern of survival, we reviewed the notes of 835 DMD patients followed at the Naples Centre of Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics from 1961 to 2006. Patients were divided, by decade of birth, into 3 groups: 1) DMD born between 1961 and 1970; 2) DMD born between 1971 and 1980; 3) DMD born between 1981 and 1990; each group was in turn subdivided into 15 two-year classes, from 14 to 40 years of age. Age and causes of death, type of cardiac treatment and use of a mechanical ventilator were carefully analyzed.The percentage of survivors in the different decades was statistically compared by chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves analyses. A significant decade on decade improvement in survival rate was observed at both the age of 20, where it passed from 23.3% of patients in group 1 to 54% of patients in group 2 and to 59,8% in patients in group 3 (p < 0.001) and at the age of 25 where the survival rate passed from 13.5% of patients in group 1 to 31.6% of patients in group 2 and to 49.2% in patients in group 3 (p < 0.001).The causes of death were both cardiac and respiratory, with a prevalence of the respiratory ones till 1980s. The overall mean age for cardiac deaths was 19.6 years (range 13.4-27.5), with an increasing age in the last 15 years. The overall mean age for respiratory deaths was 17.7 years (range 11.6-27.5) in patients without a ventilator support while increased to 27.9 years (range 23-38.6) in patients who could benefit of mechanical ventilation.This report documents that DMD should be now considered an adulthood disease as well, and as a consequence more public health interventions are needed to support these patients and their families as they pass from childhood into adult age.

Can symptomatic nmDuchenne carriers benefit from treatment with ataluren? Results of 193-month follow-up.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.36185/2532-1900-058.].

Gender effect on onset, prevalence and surgical treatment of cataract in patients with Myotonic Dystrophy type 1.

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common muscular dystrophy in adults, affecting 1:8000 individuals. It is a multi-systemic disorder involving muscle, heart, endocrine and respiratory apparatus and eye. The eye symptoms can include ptosis, external ophthalmoplegia, epiphora, and early onset cataracts. Cataracts occur at a much earlier age (usually between 30 and 40) than the general population, where females are usually affected more than men. We studied gender differences in cataract prevalence and treatment age in 243 DM1 patients (134 M; 109 F), aged 18 to 70 years, who were subsequently screened at routine follow-up. For each patient, information was collected on age, sex, CTG expansion, age of cataract onset, and age at cataract surgery, when available. Seventy-three patients, 30 females and 43 males, had cataracts, at a mean age of onset of 41.14 ± 12.64 in females, and 40.36 ± 10.03 in males. Sixty-nine of them underwent cataract surgery, males at an earlier age than females (42.8 ± 9.8 years versus 47.3 ± 12.6 years) and in 52.5% of cases before the age of 40, compared to 17.2% of females. The difference was statistically significant. The assumption that females in general and those with DM1 in particular develop cataracts more frequently and earlier than males is not confirmed, at least in this study. A possible explanation for these results could be related to non-advanced age, the protective role of estrogen and the lower prevalence of smoking in the study population.

The Role of TRPM4 Gene Mutations in Causing Familial Progressive Cardiac Conduction Disease: A Further Contribution.

Progressive cardiac conduction disease (PCCD) is a relatively common condition in young and elderly populations, related to rare mutations in several genes, including SCN5A, SCN1B, LMNA and GJA5, TRPM4. Familial cases have also been reported. We describe a family with a large number of individuals necessitating pacemaker implantation, likely due to varying degrees of PCCD. The proband is a 47-year-old-patient, whose younger brother died at 25 years of unexplained sudden cardiac death. Three paternal uncles needed a pacemaker (PM) implantation between 40 and 65 years for unspecified causes. At the age of 42, he was implanted with a PM for two episodes of syncope and the presence of complete atrioventricular block (AVB). NGS analysis revealed the missense variation c. 2351G>A, p.Gly844Asp in the exon 17 of the TRPM4 gene. This gene encodes the TRPM4 channel, a calcium-activated nonselective cation channel of the transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) ion channel family. Variations in TRPM4 have been shown to cause an increase in cell surface current density, which results in a gain of gene function. Our report broadens and supports the causative role of TRPM4 gene mutations in PCCD. Genetic screening and identification of the causal mutation are critical for risk stratification and family counselling.

Cardiac involvement in patients with spinal muscular atrophies.

The spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) include a group of disorders characterized by progressive weakness of the lower motor neurons. Several types of SMAs have been described based on age onset of clinical features: Acute infantile (SMA type I), chronic infantile (SMA type II), chronic juvenile (SMA type III), and adult onset (SMA type IV) forms. The incidence is about 1:6,000 live births with a carrier frequency of 1:40 for the severe form and 1:80 for the juvenile form. The mortality and/or morbidity rates of SMAs are inversely correlated with the age at onset. SMAs are believed to only affect skeletal muscles; however, new data on SMA mice models suggest they may also impact the heart. Aim of the study was to retrospectively examine the cardiological records of 37 type molecularly confirmed II/III SMA patients, aged 6 to 65 years, in order to evaluate the onset and evolution of the cardiac involvement in these disorders. All patients had a standard ECG and a routine echocardiography. The parameters analysed were the following: Heart rate (HR), PQ interval, PQ segment, Cardiomyopathic Index (ratio QT/PQs), ventricular and supraventricular ectopic beats, pauses > or = 2,5 msec, ventricle diameters, wall and septum thickness, ejection fraction, fiber shortening. The results showed that HR and the other ECG parameters were within the normal limits except for the Cardiomyopathic Index that was higher than the normal values (2,6-4,2) in 2 patients. Left ventricular systolic function was within the normal limits in all patients. A dilation of the left ventricle without systolic dysfunction was observed in only 2 patients, aged respectively 65 and 63 years; however they were hypertensive and/or affected by coronary artery disease. Data here reported contribute to reassure patients and their clinicians that type II/III SMAs do not present heart dysfunction.

Can symptomatic nmDuchenne carriers benefit from treatment with ataluren? Results of 193-month follow-up.

Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked neuromuscular disorder caused by deletions (75%), duplications (15-20%) and point mutations (5-10%) in the dystrophin gene. Among the latter, stop-codon point mutations are rare. Female carriers of dystrophin gene mutations are usually asymptomatic as they are "protected" by the second X-chromosome, which produces a normal dystrophin protein. However, about 8-10% of them can present symptoms that set the clinical picture of the manifesting or symptomatic carrier. Although no causative cure there is for DMD, therapies are available to slow the decline of muscle weakness and delay the onset of heart and respiratory involvement. However, there is limited data in the literature documenting the treatment of symptomatic carriers, often entrusted to the sensitivity of individual doctors. In this paper, we report the follow-up outcomes of four European symptomatic nmDMD carriers treated with ataluren, overall followed for 193 months. Annual assessment of muscle strength, pulmonary lung function tests, and echocardiography, indicate a mild attenuation of disease progression under treatment.. There were no adverse clinical effects or relevant abnormalities in routine laboratory tests. We can conclude that ataluren appears to stabilize, if not slightly improve, the clinical course of patients with a good safety profile, especially if we consider that the treatment was late for 3/4 patients, at a mean age of 36.6 ± 10.6 years.

CLCN1 Molecular Characterization in 19 South-Italian Patients With Dominant and Recessive Type of Myotonia Congenita.

Myotonia congenita is a genetic disease characterized by impaired muscle relaxation after forceful contraction (myotonia). It is caused by mutations in the CLCN1 gene, encoding the voltage-gated chloride channel of skeletal muscle, ClC-1. According to the pattern of inheritance, two distinct clinical forms have been described, Thomsen disease, inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and Becker disease inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. We report genetic and clinical data concerning 19 patients-13 familial and six isolated cases-all but one originating from the Campania Region, in southern Italy. Twelve patients (63.2%) present Becker type myotonia and 7 (36.8%) Thomsen type. Sex ratio M:F in Becker type is 6:6, while in Thomsen myotonia 4:3. The age of onset of the disease ranged from 2 to 15 years in Becker patients, and from 4 to 20 years in Thomsen. Overall 18 mutations were identified, 10 located in the coding part of the gene (exons 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 15, 21, 22), and four in the intron part (introns 1, 2, 10, 18). All the exon mutations but two were missense mutations. Some of them, such as c.2551 G > A, c.817G > A and c.86A > C recurred more frequently. About 70% of mutations was inherited with an autosomal recessive pattern, two (c.86A and c.817G>A) with both mechanisms. Three novel mutations were identified, never described in the literature: p.Gly276Ser, p.Phe486Ser, and p.Gln812*, associated with Becker phenotype. Furthermore, we identified three CLCN1 mutations-c.86A>C + c.2551G > A, c.313C > T + c.501C > G and 899G > A + c.2284+5C > T, two of them inherited in cis on the same allele, in three unrelated families. The concomitant occurrence of both clinical pictures-Thomsen and Becker-was observed in one family. Intra-familial phenotypic variability was observed in two families, one with Becker phenotype, and one with Thomsen disease. In the latter an incomplete penetrance was hypothesized.

Efficacy and safety of ropivacaine HCl in peribulbar anaesthesia for cataract surgery in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM1) is the most common muscle disease in adults, affecting approximately 1:8000 individuals, characterized by myotonia and muscular wasting and a multisystemic involvement that includes heart, brain, respiratory and endocrine system, and eye. Conduction system is selectively involved, often causing cardiac sudden death. Early onset posterior subcapsular cataract is a characteristic feature of myotonic dystrophy, requiring surgical treatment. However, DM1 is associated with many anesthetic hazards; sensitivity to anesthetic drugs, especially muscle relaxants and opioids, may complicate postoperative care. Local anesthesia also requires attention. We investigated the heart response to local anesthesia Ropivacaine Hcl administration in 16 DM1 patients (12M:4F) consecutively undergoing cataract surgery, by analyzing heart rate, ventricular and supraventricular ectopic beats, runs of tachycardia and pauses ≥ 2.5 sec., through a 24h-Holter monitoring, registered before and within 24 hours after surgery. The average age of patients was 47.4 years (range 30.2-55.9). At baseline, one patient had a pacemaker and 3 a defibrillator. Two patients presented a first-degree atrio-ventricular-block; three showed ectopic ventricular beats, on anti-arrhythmic drug treatment. No significant differences in heart rate values (73 ± 15b/m versus 76 ± 13b/m) were observed after cataract surgery, nor in the onset of ectopic beats. Only patients who presented ventricular ectopic beats at baseline, showed an increase in their number after surgery, likely related to an arbitrary interruption of the specific treatment. These data confirm the safety and efficacy of ropivacaine HCl used as a local anesthetic in patients with myotonic dystrophy.

Estimating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on services provided by Italian Neuromuscular Centers: an Italian Association of Myology survey of the acute phase.

INTRODUCTION: Since February 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy has forced the health care system to undergo profound rearrangements in its services and facilities, especially in the worst-hit areas in Northern Italy. In this setting, inpatient and outpatient services had to rethink and reorganize their activities to meet the needs of patients during the "lockdown". The Italian Association of Myology developed a survey to estimate the impact of these changes on patients affected by neuromuscular disorders and on specialized neuromuscular centers during the acute phase of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We developed an electronic survey that was sent to neuromuscular centers affiliated with the Italian Association of Myology, assessing changes in pharmacological therapies provision, outpatient clinical and instrumental services, support services (physiotherapy, nursing care, psychological support) and clinical trials. RESULTS: 40% of surveyed neuromuscular centers reported a reduction in outpatient visit and examinations (44.5% of centers in Northern regions; 25% of centers in Central regions; 50% of centers in Southern regions). Twenty-two% of centers postponed in-hospital administration of therapies for neuromuscular diseases (23.4% in Northern regions; 13.0% in Central regions; 20% in Southern regions). Diagnostic and support services (physiotherapy, nursing care, psychological support) were suspended in 57% of centers (66/43/44% in Northern, Central and Southern centers respectively) Overall, the most affected services were rehabilitative services and on-site outpatient visits, which were suspended in 93% of centers. Strategies adopted by neuromuscular centers to overcome these changes included maintaining urgent on-site visits, addressing patients to available services and promoting remote contact and telemedicine. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant disruption of clinical and support services for patients with neuromuscular diseases. Despite the efforts to provide telemedicine consults to patients, this option could be promoted and improved further. A close collaboration between the different neuromuscular centers and service providers as well as further implementation of telehealth platforms are necessary to ensure quality care to NMD patients in the near future and in case of recurrent pandemic waves.

Heart transplantation in a patient with Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 and end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy: a short term follow-up.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) or Steinert's disease is the most common muscular dystrophy in adult life with an estimated prevalence of 1:8000. Cardiac involvement, including arrhythmias and conduction disorders, contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Mild ventricular dysfunction has also been reported associated with conduction disorders, but severe ventricular systolic dysfunction is not a frequent feature and usually occurs late in the course of the disease. Heart transplantation is currently considered the ultimate gold standard surgical approach in the treatment of refractory heart failure in general population. To date, considering the shortage of donors that limit the achievement of a greater number of heart transplants and the reluctance of the cardiac surgeons to transplant patients with dystrophic cardiomyopathy, little is known about the number of patients with DM1 transplanted and their outcome. We report the case of a 44 year old patient with Steinert disease who showed an early onset ventricular dysfunction refractory to optimal medical and cardiac resincronization therapy, and underwent to successful heart transplantation. At our knowledge, this is the second heart transplantation performed in a patient affected by Steinert disease after the one reported by Conraads et al in 2002.

Digenic Inheritance of Shortened Repeat Units of the D4Z4 Region and a Loss-of-Function Variant in SMCHD1 in a Family With FSHD.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a neuromuscular disorder which is typically transmitted by an autosomal dominant pattern, although reduced penetrance and sporadic cases caused by de novo mutations, are often observed. FSHD may be caused by a contraction of a repetitive element, located on chromosome 4 (4q35). This locus is named D4Z4 and consists of 11 to more than 100 repeated units (RU). The D4Z4 is normally hypermethylated and the genes located on this locus are silenced. In case of FSHD, the D4Z4 region is characterized by 1-10 repeats and results in the region being hypomethylated. However, 5% of FSHD cases do not carry the short allele of D4Z4 region. To date, two forms of FSHD (FSHD1 and FSHD2) are known. FSHD2 is usually observed in patients without the D4Z4 fragment contraction and carrying variants in SMCHD1 (18p11.32) gene. We report the case of a young adult patient who shows severe symptoms of FSHD. Preliminary genetic analysis did not clarify the phenotype, therefore we decided to study the family members by genetic and epigenetic approaches. The analysis of D4Z4 fragment resulted to be 8 RU in the affected proband and in his father; 26 RU in the mother and 25 RU in the maternal uncle. SMCHD1 analysis revealed a heterozygous variation within the exon 41. The variant was detected in the proband, her mother and the uncle. Furthermore, epigenetic analysis of CpG6 methylation regions showed significant hypomethylation in the affected patient (54%) and in the mother (56%), in contrast to the father (88%) and the uncle (81%) carrying higher methylation levels. The analysis of DR1 methylation levels reported hypomethylation for the proband (19%), the mother (11%), and the uncle (16%). The father showed normal DR1 methylation levels (>30%). Given these results, the combined inheritance of SMCHD1 variant and the short fragment might explain the severe FSHD phenotype displayed by the proband. On this subject, SMCHD1 analysis should be promoted in a larger number of patients, even in presence of D4Z4 contractions, to facilitate the genotype-phenotype correlation as well as, to enable a more precise diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

Upper limb function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: 24 month longitudinal data.

The aim of the study was to establish 24 month changes in upper limb function using a revised version of the performance of upper limb test (PUL 2.0) in a large cohort of ambulant and non-ambulant boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and to identify possible trajectories of progression. Of the 187 patients studied, 87 were ambulant (age range: 7-15.8 years), and 90 non-ambulant (age range: 9.08-24.78). The total scores changed significantly over time (p<0.001). Non-ambulant patients had lower total scores at baseline (mean 19.7) when compared to the ambulant ones (mean 38.4). They also had also a bigger decrease in total scores over 24 months compared to the ambulant boys (4.36 vs 2.07 points). Multivariate model analysis showed that the Performance of Upper Limb changes reflected the entry level and ambulation status, that were independently associated to the slope of Performance of Upper Limb changes. This information will be of help both in clinical practice and at the time of designing clinical trials.

Is the epicardial left ventricular lead implantation an alternative approach to percutaneous attempt in patients with Steinert disease? A case report.

Steinert's disease or Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder characterized by myotonia, muscle and facial weakness, cataracts, cognitive, endocrine and gastrointestinal involvement, and cardiac conduction abnormalities. Although mild myocardial dysfunction may be detected in this syndrome with age, overt myocardial dysfunction with heart failure is not frequent. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an effective treatment to improve morbidity and reduce mortality in patients with DM1 showing intra-ventricular conduction delay and/or congestive heart failure. We report the case of a patient with Steinert disease showing an early onset ventricular dysfunction due to chronic right ventricular apical pacing, in which an epicardial left ventricular lead implantation was performed following the failure of the percutaneous attempt. As no relief in symptoms of heart failure, nor an improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction and reverse remodelling was observed six months later, the patient was addressed to the heart transplantation.

Integrated care of muscular dystrophies in Italy. Part 1. Pharmacological treatment and rehabilitative interventions.

This paper describes the pharmacological therapies and rehabilitative interventions received by 502 patients with Muscular Dystrophies, evaluated in relation to patient's socio-demographic and clinical variables, and geographical areas. Data were collected by the MD-Socio-Demographic and Clinical Schedule (MD-SC-CS) and by the Family Problems Questionnaire (FPQ). The most part of the enrolled patients were in drug treatment. The number of the medications increased in relation to patient's age, disability degree and duration of illness and was higher among patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) compared with Becker (BMD) or Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMD). Steroids (deflazacort or prednisone) were the drug most frequently used, followed by cardiologic and bone metabolism drugs. In general, patients using steroids were younger and had a shorter duration of illness; patients using cardiac drugs and dietary supplements were older and had a longer duration of illness. Rehabilitative interventions were provided to about 70% (351/502) of patients, mainly DMD. Of these, physiotherapy was the more frequent treatment (96.6%) and was prevalently performed in rehabilitative centres (about 70% of patients) and at home in only 30%. Hydrokinetic-therapy was practiced by 6.8% of patients. Respiratory rehabilitation was provided to 47.0% of patients (165/351) and assisted mechanical ventilaventilation to 13.1% (46). The amount of rehabilitative interventions increased in relation to the patient's age, level of disability and duration of illness. Compared to Central and Northern Italy, in Southern Italy there was a higher attention to cardiological impairment as shown by a higher number of patients receiving heart drugs. No statistically significant differences concerning the possibility to have access to rehabilitative interventions were noted among the three geographical areas. However, patient living in Southern Italy tend to receive rehabilitation more often at home.