Project description:Understand the occurrence and predictors of respiratory impairment in FSHD. Data from 100 FSHD patients was collected regarding demographics, genetics, respiratory status and pulmonary function tests, clinical manifestations and Clinical Severity Scale (CSS) scores. Patients were assigned to two severity groups using CSS: mild (scores <3.5) and moderate/severely affected (scores ≥3.5). Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) was classified as severely impaired if less than 50% of the predicted. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23, tests were two-tailed and the level of significance set at 5%. Spirometry was available for 94 patients; 41.5% had abnormal results with a restrictive pattern in 38.3% patients. There was a correlation between FVC; CSS score and D4Z4 fragment length with a higher probability of severe respiratory involvement in the early onset group, moderate/severe disease and D4Z4 fragments <18 kb. Patients with severe respiratory involvement showed a high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing. FVC decline over time was indicative of three progression groups. Respiratory involvement for both ambulant and non-ambulant patients with FSHD is more frequent and severe than previously suggested. Sleep-disordered breathing is frequent and negatively influences the respiratory status. Annual screening of the respiratory status with spirometry and clinical assessment is thus warranted in FSHD patients, even while ambulant.
Project description:Berichte über besorgniserregende Rückgänge bei den Klinikaufnahmen von Patienten mit akutem Herzinfarkt nehmen in der COVID-19-Pandemie zu.
Project description:BackgroundClinical trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) focus primarily on ambulant patients. Results cannot be extrapolated to later disease stages due to a decline in targeted muscle tissue. In non-ambulant DMD patients, hand function is relatively preserved and crucial for daily-life activities. We used quantitative MRI (qMRI) to establish whether the thenar muscles could be valuable to monitor treatment effects in non-ambulant DMD patients.MethodsSeventeen non-ambulant DMD patients (range 10.2-24.1 years) and 13 healthy controls (range 9.5-25.4 years) underwent qMRI of the right hand at 3 T at baseline. Thenar fat fraction (FF), total volume (TV), and contractile volume (CV) were determined using 4-point Dixon, and T2water was determined using multiecho spin-echo. Clinical assessments at baseline (n = 17) and 12 months (n = 13) included pinch strength (kg), performance of the upper limb (PUL) 2.0, DMD upper limb patient reported outcome measure (PROM), and playing a video game for 10 min using a game controller. Group differences and correlations were assessed with non-parametric tests.ResultsTotal volume was lower in patients compared with healthy controls (6.9 cm3 , 5.3-9.0 cm3 vs. 13.0 cm3 , 7.6-15.8 cm3 , P = 0.010). CV was also lower in patients (6.3 cm3 , 4.6-8.3 cm3 vs. 11.9 cm3 , 6.9-14.6 cm3 , P = 0.010). FF was slightly elevated (9.7%, 7.3-11.4% vs. 7.7%, 6.6-8.4%, P = 0.043), while T2water was higher (31.5 ms, 30.0-32.6 ms vs. 28.1 ms, 27.8-29.4 ms, P < 0.001). Pinch strength and PUL decreased over 12 months (2.857 kg, 2.137-4.010 to 2.243 kg, 1.930-3.339 kg, and 29 points, 20-36 to 23 points, 17-30, both P < 0.001), while PROM did not (49 points, 36-57 to 44 points, 30-54, P = 0.041). All patients were able to play for 10 min at baseline or follow-up, but some did not comply with the study procedures regarding this endpoint. Pinch strength correlated with TV and CV in patients (rho = 0.72 and rho = 0.68) and controls (both rho = 0.89). PUL correlated with TV, CV, and T2water (rho = 0.57, rho = 0.51, and rho = -0.59).ConclusionsLow thenar FF, increased T2water , correlation of muscle size with strength and function, and the decrease in strength and function over 1 year indicate that the thenar muscles are a valuable and quantifiable target for therapy in later stages of DMD. Further studies are needed to relate these data to the loss of a clinically meaningful milestone.
Project description:BackgroundCurrent investigations into physical behaviour in Muscular Dystrophy (MD) have focussed largely on physical activity (PA). Negative health behaviours such as sedentary behaviour (Physical Behaviour) and sitting time (Posture Classification) are widely recognised to negatively influence health, but by contrast are poorly reported, yet could be easier behaviours to modify.Methods14 ambulant men with MD and 12 healthy controls (CTRL) subjects completed 7-days of free-living with wrist-worn accelerometry, assessing physical behaviour (SB or PA) and Posture Classification (Sitting or Standing), presented at absolute (minutes) or relative (% Waking Hours). Participant body composition (Fat Mass and Fat Free Mass) were assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance, while functional status was assessed by 10 m walk test and a functional scale (Swinyard Scale).ResultsAbsolute Sedentary Behaviour (2.2 Hours, p = 0.025) and Sitting Time (1.9 Hours, p = 0.030 was greater in adults with MD compared to CTRL and Absolute Physical Activity (3.4 Hours, p < 0.001) and Standing Time (3.2 Hours, p < 0.001) was lower in adults with MD compared to CTRL. Absolute hours of SB was associated with Fat Mass (Kg) (R = 0.643, p < 0.05) in ambulatory adults with MD.DiscussionThis study has demonstrated increased Sedentary Behaviour (2.2 hours) and Sitting time (1.9 Hours) in adults with MD compared to healthy controls. Extended waking hours in sitting and SB raises concerns with regards to progression of potential cardio-metabolic diseases and co-morbidities in MD.
Project description:AimThe aim of this cross-sectional study was to measure the effect of dual tasks on gait stability in ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to typically developing (TD) children.MethodsThe children of the CP (n = 20) and TD groups (n = 20) walked first without a dual task, then while counting forward and finally while alternatively naming fruits and animals (DTf/a). They then completed the same cognitive exercises while sitting comfortably. We calculated the distance between the foot placement estimator (FPE) and the real foot placement in the anterior direction (DFPEAP) and in the mediolateral direction (DFPEML) as a measure of gait stability, in a gait laboratory using an optoelectronic system. Cognitive scores were computed. Comparisons within and between groups were analysed with linear mixed models.ResultsThe dual task had a significant effect on the CP group in DFPEAP and DFPEML. The CP group was more affected than the TD group during dual task in the DFPEML. Children in both groups showed significant changes in gait stability during dual tasks.InterpretationThe impact of dual task on gait stability is possibly due to the sharing of attention between gait and the cognitive task. All children favoured a 'posture second' strategy during the dual task of alternatively naming animals and fruits. Children with CP increased their mediolateral stability during dual task.