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Respiratory and upper limb function as outcome measures in ambulant and non-ambulant subjects with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A prospective multicentre study

Ricotti, V; Selby, V; Ridout, D; Domingos, J; Decostre, V; Mayhew, A; Eagle, M; ... Muntoni, F; + view all (2019) Respiratory and upper limb function as outcome measures in ambulant and non-ambulant subjects with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A prospective multicentre study. Neuromuscular Disorders , 29 (4) pp. 261-268. 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.02.002. Green open access

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Abstract

The field of translational research in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been transformed in the last decade by a number of therapeutic targets, mostly studied in ambulant patients. A paucity of studies focus on measures that capture the non-ambulant stage of the disease, and the transition between the ambulant and non-ambulant phase. In this prospective natural history study, we report the results of a comprehensive assessment of respiratory, upper limb function and upper limb muscle strength in a group of 89 DMD boys followed in 3 European countries, 81 receiving corticosteroids, spanning a wide age range (5-18 years) and functional abilities, from ambulant (n = 60) to non-ambulant (n = 29). Respiratory decline could be detected in the early ambulatory phase using Peak Expiratory Flow percentage predicted (PEF%), despite glucocorticoid use (mean annual decline: 4.08, 95% CI [-7.44,-0.72], p = 0.02 in ambulant; 4.81, 95% CI [-6.79,-2.82], p < 0.001 in non-ambulant). FVC% captured disease progression in non-ambulant DMD subjects, with an annual loss of 5.47% (95% CI [-6.48,-4.45], p < 0.001). Upper limb function measured with the Performance of Upper Limb (PUL 1.2) showed an annual loss of 4.13 points (95% CI [-4.79,3.47], p < 0.001) in the non-ambulant cohort. Measures of upper limb strength (MyoGrip and MyoPinch) showed a continuous decline independent of the ambulatory status, when reported as percentage predicted (grip force -5.51%, 95% CI [-6.54,-4.48], p < 0.001 in ambulant and a slower decline -2.86%; 95% CI -3.29,-2.43, p < 0.001, in non-ambulant; pinch force: -2.66%, 95% CI [-3.82,-1.51], p < 0.001 in ambulant and -2.23%, 95% CI [-2.92,-1.53], p < 0.001 in non-ambulant). Furthermore, we also explored the novel concept of a composite endpoint by combining respiratory, upper limb function and force domains: we were able to identify clear clinical progression in patients in whom an isolated measurement of only one of these domains failed to appreciate the yearly change. Our study contributes to the field of natural history of DMD, linking the ambulant and non-ambulant phases of the disease, and suggests that composite scores should be explored further.

Type: Article
Title: Respiratory and upper limb function as outcome measures in ambulant and non-ambulant subjects with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A prospective multicentre study
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.02.002
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmd.2019.02.002
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscriptr. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Composite endpoint, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Upper limb function and strength, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, pulmonary function
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Developmental Neurosciences Dept
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10073238
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