Clinical Features and Quality of Life in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy Patients From a Tertiary Center in Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular dystrophy (BMD), are chronic and progressive and rare genetic disorders that cause systemic involvement such as progressive muscle deterioration, motor disability, cardiomyopathy, and respiratory problems, with an increased risk of cognitive decline and psychological problems They are a group of neuromuscular diseases in which psychological problems affect negatively on quality of life (Qol) not only patients but also caregivers. This study demonstrates the clinical features of patients with DMD/BMD and their caregivers and compares controls with respects to psychological and social aspects. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients (3 with BMD and 17 with DMD), aged between 8 and 18 years, and 20 age-matched healthy children were included in this descriptive and cross-sectional study. The patients were evaluated by the pediatric neurology, cardiology, and psychiatry departments at the study time. Their demographic and clinical features were recorded. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and its parent form, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were applied to all of the participants. Results: The QoL scores were lower in patients with moderate and severe DMD/BMD and their caregivers. In patients with DMD and in both groups, emotional symptoms, peer problems and prosocial behavior scores were higher in the subsets of the SDQ. The PedsQL child-parent scores were lower in all of the subsets with statistical significance. Conclusions: DMD and BMD comprise a group of chronic diseases with multiple complications that are difficult to manage. A QoL equal or close to that of the healthy children should be targeted. Today, proposed or experimental treatments for this disease group are assessed based on their ability to enhance QoL. Inquiring into the QoL and counseling should become routine.