Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Myotonic Dystrophy”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Could it be myotonic dystrophy? Myotonic dystrophy presenting with atrial flutter.

Myotonic dystrophy is a well recognised and well defined multisystem disorder which is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion through a locus on chromosome 19. The disease itself is characterised by rigidity and degeneration of skeletal muscle, cataract formation, gonadal atrophy, frontal baldness and mental retardation. Like many inherited disorders there is a variable expression and so diverse clinical presentations can occur.

Adult↗

Experienced fatigue in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and HMSN-I.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of severe fatigue and its relation to functional impairment in daily life in patients with relatively common types of neuromuscular disorders. METHODS: 598 patients with a neuromuscular disease were studied (139 with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, 322 with adult onset myotonic dystrophy, and 137 with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type I). Fatigue severity was assessed with Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-fatigue). Functional impairments in daily life were measured with the short form 36 item health questionnaire (SF-36). RESULTS: The three different neuromuscular patient groups were of similar age and sex. Severe experienced fatigue was reported by 61-74% of the patients. Severely fatigued patients had more problems with physical functioning, social functioning, mental health, bodily pain, and general health perception. There were some differences between the three disorders in the effects of fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Severe fatigue is reported by the majority of patients with relatively common types of neuromuscular disorders. Because experienced fatigue severity is associated with the severity of various functional impairments in daily life, it is a clinically and socially relevant problem in this group of patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Influence of relatives on fatigue experienced by patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy and HMSN-I.

OBJECTIVES: Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by patients with various neuromuscular disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of relatives on fatigue experienced by patients with various neuromuscular disorders. METHODS: In total, 106 close relatives of patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), adult-onset myotonic dystrophy (MD), and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type I (HMSN), completed the Checklist Individual Strength for themselves, and how they thought their relatives filled in this questionnaire. We compared the agreement between the two. The reaction of the relative to the fatigue and to the neuromuscular disorder of the patient was assessed by the Family Response Questionnaire. Marital dissatisfaction was also measured. The influence of the relative's response to the patients' fatigue and the relatives' fatigue on the fatigue of the patient was tested in linear regression models. RESULTS: In all 3 patient groups, the responses of the relatives to fatigue and disease were characterized by sympathetic-empathic responses. Low agreement existed between relatives and MD patients (r = 0.26) over the patients' level of fatigue, but higher agreement was found between relatives and FSHD (r = 0.67) and HMSN (r = 0.73) patients. The spouses of MD patients reported less marital satisfaction. The sympathetic-empathic responses of the relatives of FSHD and HMSN patients, and in FSHD also the fatigue experienced by the relative, contributed significantly to higher levels of fatigue experienced by the patients. CONCLUSION: The sympathetic-empathic responses of close relatives to the fatigue of the patient were related to the higher levels of fatigue experienced by FSHD and HMSN patients, but not MD patients.

Adult↗

Myotonic dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy protein kinase.

Myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) was designated as a gene responsible for myotonic dystrophy (DM) on chromosome 19, because the gene product has extensive homology to protein kinase catalytic domains. DM is the most common disease with multisystem disorders among muscular dystrophies. The genetic basis of DM is now known to include mutational expansion of a repetitive trinucleotide sequence (CTG)n in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of DMPK. Full-length DMPK was detected and various isoforms of DMPK have been reported in skeletal and cardiac muscles, central nervous tissues, etc. DMPK is localized predominantly in type I muscle fibers, muscle spindles, neuromuscular junctions and myotendinous tissues in skeletal muscle. In cardiac muscle it is localized in intercalated dises and Purkinje fibers. Electron microscopically it is detected in the terminal cisternae of SR in skeletal muscle and the junctional and corbular SR in cardia muscle. In central nervous system, it is located in many neurons, especially in the cytoplasm of cerebellar Purkinje cells, hippocampal interneurons and spinal motoneurons. Electron microscopically it is detected in rough endoplasmic reticulum. The functional role of DMPK is not fully understood, however, it may play an important role in Ca2+ homeostasis and signal transduction system. Diseased amount of DMPK may play an important role in the degeneration of skeletal muscle in adult type DM. However, other molecular pathogenetical mechanisms such as dysfunction of surrounding genes by structural change of the chromosome by long trinucleotide repeats, and the trans-gain of function of CUG-binding proteins might be responsible to induce multisystemic disorders of DM such as myotonia, endocrine dysfunction, etc.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Myotonic dystrophies.

Myotonic dystrophies or dystrophia myotonica (DM) is a clinical syndrome that includes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2), myotonic dystrophy type 3 (DM3), and so forth. The terminology was recommended by the new nomenclature for myotonic dystrophies of an International Panel for Consensus. Previous studies have shown that DM1 is caused by the expansion of a cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) repeat in the DM protein kinase gene on chromosome 19, and DM2 is caused by an expansion of a cytosine-cytosine-thymine-guanine (CCTG) repeat in the zinc finger protein 9 (ZNF9) gene on chromosome 3. Because DM1 and DM2 have very similar clinical presentations, the diagnosis of these two disorders needs to be confirmed by molecular genetic analysis. Recently, DM3 was reported to include a multisystem myotonic disorder with frontotemporal dementia, and a linkage to chromosome 15q21-24. Although the age at onset, disease severity, and cerebral abnormality on a brain magnetic resonance spectrometry may correlate with the number of triplet repeats in the blood cells of DM1, it is too early to reach a conclusion. In Taiwan, the prevalence of DM1 is much lower than in Western countries. Previous studies have shown that the central nervous system symptomatology is correlated mainly with the white matter lesions in the brain MRI, but the CNS manifestations seem unrelated to the numbers of CTG triplet repeats in the blood cells. The inverse correlation between age at onset and CTG repeat length is significant only in patients with small expansions of about 100-250 triplet repeats. Transmission contraction of the repeat size is likely to occur in alleles with large repeats and is associated with paternal transmission. In congenital DM1, individual variability of muscle differentiation does occur, in spite of the same number of CTG repeats in the leukocytes.

Brain↗

Age and causes of death in adult-onset myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is a relatively common type of muscular dystrophy, associated with a variety of systemic complications. Long term follow-up is difficult because of the slow progression. The objective of this study was to determine survival, age at death and causes of death in patients with the adult-onset type of myotonic dystrophy. A register of myotonic dystrophy patients was set up in Southern Limburg (the Netherlands), using data longitudinally collected over a 47-year period (1950-97). Survival for 180 patients (from the register) with adult-onset type myotonic dystrophy was established by the Kaplan-Meier method. The median survival was 60 years for males and 59 years for females. Survival of the patients was also estimated from the age of 15 years to the ages of 25, 45 and 65 years and compared with the expected survival of age- and sex-matched birth cohorts from the normal Dutch population. The observed survival to the ages of 25, 45 and 65 years was 99%, 88% and 18% compared with an expected survival of 99%, 95% and 78%, respectively. Thus, survival to the age of 65 in patients with adult-onset myotonic dystrophy is markedly reduced. A weak positive correlation between the CTG repeat length and younger age at death was found in the 13 patients studied (r = 0.50, P = 0.08). The cause of death could be determined in 70 of the 83 deceased patients. Pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmias were the most frequent primary causes of death, each occurring in approximately 30%, which was far more than expected for the general Dutch population. In addition, we assessed mobility in the years before death in a subgroup of 18 patients, as a reflection of the long-term physical handicap in myotonic dystrophy patients. Half of the patients studied were either partially or totally wheelchair-bound shortly before their death.

Age Distribution↗

Lack of relationship of hypogonadism to muscle wasting in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is frequently associated with testicular atrophy. Since androgens may play a role in the maintenance of muscle mass, we have studied the levels of plasma testosterone and gonadotropins and of urinary 17-ketosteroids in 22 men with myotonic dystrophy, 36 normal men, and 16 men (control group) with muscle wasting. Results were correlated with muscle mass as estimated by creatinine excretion and total body potassium. Patients with myotonic dystrophy had significantly lower testosterone and higher gonadotropin levels than normal, and these changes were progressive in longitudinal studies. Testosterone levels were also lower than normal in disease control subjects. There was no correlation between low testosterone levels and diminished muscle mass in either myotonic dystrophy or disease control patients. The low plasma concentration of testosterone in men with myotonic dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases does not appear to be directly related to their muscle wasting. This study does not exclude the possibility that an alteration in testosterone receptor or tissue effects may contribute to a loss of muscle tissue.

17-Ketosteroids↗

Forearm 3-methylhistidine efflux in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is associated with progressive muscular atrophy. To define the mechanism of muscle wasting in this disease, we studied myofibrillar proteolysis in vivo in 8 men moderately affected with myotonic dystrophy, and compared the results with those of 10 normal men. Myofibrillar proteolysis was estimated by measuring the 3-methylhistidine arteriovenous difference (A-V) and efflux (Q) across the forearm in the postabsorptive state. Plasma 3-methylhistidine concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with postcolumn o-phthalaldehyde derivatization and fluorescence detection. Plasma flow to the forearm muscles (F) was estimated to represent 85% of total forearm plasma flow as determined by the indicator-dilution technique. Forearm 3-methylhistidine efflux was calculated as: Q = F(A-V). Mean muscle mass (24-hour creatinine excretion), lean body mass, and forearm volume were decreased in the patients with myotonic dystrophy, confirming the presence of muscle atrophy. Mean forearm 3-methylhistidine arteriovenous difference and efflux were not significantly different in the two groups. We conclude that myofibrillar protein degradation is not increased in myotonic dystrophy, even when measured in a muscle compartment selectively affected by wasting. Muscle atrophy in myotonic dystrophy is probably the result of defective anabolism rather than accelerated catabolism.

Adult↗

Left ventricular myocardial function in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal dominant disease affecting many organ systems, including the heart. Abnormalities of the cardiac conduction system are a frequent and well-documented finding in this neuromuscular disease, whereas overt signs of heart failure are rarely reported. However, controversy exists about the prevalence of preclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with myotonic dystrophy who have no symptoms of heart failure. To address this issue, load-independent LV function indexes were compared in patients with myotonic dystrophy and in normal subjects. LV measurements were obtained with M-mode echocardiography in 43 consecutive patients with myotonic dystrophy (mean age 35 +/- 14 years) who had no clinical evidence of heart failure, and in 35 sex- and age-matched controls. A cuff sphygmomanometer was used to determine blood pressure. No difference was found between patients and control subjects in the percentage of LV ejection fraction predicted for end-systolic stress (103 +/- 7 vs 103 +/- 7%; p = 0.97) or in the end-systolic stress/volume index ratio (2.9 +/- 0.5 vs 2.7 +/- 0.4 dyne7/cm3; p = 0.09). Similarly, no significant difference in LV myocardial function was detected between the 19 patients with a mild degree of the neuromuscular disease and in the 24 with a moderate or severe degree of the disease. Finally, LV myocardial function was compared between patients with myotonic dystrophy and atrioventricular or intraventricular conduction disturbances (n = 8) and those without these disturbances (n = 35), but no significant difference in the percentage of LV ejection fraction predicted for end-systolic stress or in the end-systolic stress/volume index ratio could be detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Mechanism of muscle wasting in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is associated with progressive muscular atrophy. In order to determine the mechanism of muscle wasting in this condition, we measured fractional mixed skeletal muscle protein synthesis in the postabsorptive state in 8 patients with myotonic dystrophy, and compared the results with those of 10 normal subjects. Fractional muscle protein synthesis was determined by measuring the increment of 13C leucine in mixed skeletal muscle protein obtained by needle biopsy from the quadriceps muscle during a primed-continuous infusion of L-(1-13C) leucine. We used plasma 13C alpha-ketoisocaproate (representing intracellular leucine labeling) as the precursor pool for the calculation of fractional muscle protein synthesis and leucine kinetics. Fractional muscle protein synthesis was depressed in the patients with myotonic dystrophy (28% decrease, p less than 0.02). Leucine flux, leucine oxidation, and the nonoxidative portion of leucine flux were not different between the patients with myotonic dystrophy and the normal control subjects. Muscle atrophy in myotonic dystrophy reflects a selective decrease in muscle protein synthesis without any similar decrease in nonmuscle protein synthesis. This decrease may result from an impaired end-organ response to anabolic hormones or substrates.

Adult↗

The changes in muscle strength and relaxation time after a comprehensive rehabilitation program for patients with myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is a muscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and myotonia. Myotonia manifests with abnormally slow relaxation after strong voluntary contraction of the muscles. In our previous study we reported that quinine sulfate provided therapeutic benefit to myotonia and a home exercise program based on muscle strengthening exercises improved muscle strength. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a multi-therapeutic program in patients with myotonic dystrophy. For six months, seven patients with myotonic dystrophy received heat therapy, were given psychologic intervention using relaxation techniques, were trained at home, and were given quinine sulfate. The changes in muscle strength and relaxation time between the post-six-months home exercise program combined with quinine sulfate therapy, and the post-six months multi-therapeutic program, were assessed from the first dorsal interossei, the elbow flexors, and the knee extensors. The results were as follows: 1) The mean muscle strength of the each of the three muscles after the six months multi-therapeutic program was improved but was not significant compared with the post-six-months home exercise program combined with quinine sulfate therapy. 2) The mean relaxation time of each of the three muscles after the six months multi-therapeutic program was significantly reduced compared with the home exercise program combined with quinine sulfate therapy. In conclusion, the multi-therapeutic program undertaken in this study was the better program for the patients with myotonic dystrophy.

Adolescent↗

Gastric volvulus complicating myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal inherited disorder of both striated and smooth muscle, and is considered to be a rare cause of gastrointestinal dilatation and abnormal peristalsis. We report on a patient with myotonic dystrophy complicated by gastric volvulus. A 57-year-old female with myotonic dystrophy suddenly developed abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. X-ray examinations revealed gastric dilatation and pyloroantral obstruction, consistent with acute gastric volvulus. The patient underwent successful emergency gastrectomy. Gastric volvulus is often an unrecognized surgical emergency, but its clinical and radiographic features are so characteristic that accurate diagnosis is possible if the condition is kept in mind. Thus, the clinician should consider the possibility of gastric volvulus when evaluating gastrointestinal complaints in patients with myotonic dystrophy.

Acute Disease↗

Dermal lymphatics in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is an hereditary disorder of several organ systems. Skeletal muscle is a principal target organ, but abnormalities also occur in the peripheral microcirculation. Because morphological and functional changes in the dermal blood microcirculation may affect interstitial fluid drainage of the skin, we examined dermal lymphatic morphology in adult patients with myotonic dystrophy. Skin biopsies were taken from the big toe from patients with myotonic dystrophy (age 18-50 years) and subjected to light and electron microscopy; five healthy subjects served as controls. The salient findings in myotonic dystrophy were ultrastructural changes of the lymphatic endothelial cells and the fibrillar elements that surround the lymphatic wall. These abnormal lymphatic findings are interpreted in light of changes in the blood microvasculature and loose connective tissue in this disorder.

Adolescent↗

[Respiratory pathophysiology during sleep in patients with myotonic dystrophy].

Myotonic dystrophy is a genetic disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. It is known to be associated with endocrine dysfunction, polar cataracts, cardiac abnormalities and other conditions. Respiratory distress constituents the principal problem in myotonic dystrophy. The author investigated postural change of respiratory function in 12 patients with myotonic dystrophy (MYD), and 7 patients with limb-girdle dystrophy (LG) and overnight polysomnography was performed on 10 patients with MYD and 5 patients with LG. The respiratory function in seated posture showed no significant difference between LG and MYD, but in patients with MYD, the vital capacity and the expiratory reserve volume in a supine posture was reduced in comparison to that during seated posture. However, the respiratory function in patients with LG was not significantly different in seated and supine postures. Also, in patients with MYD, there was a significant decrease in arterial PO2 from the seated posture to the supine posture, without a significant change in the arterial PCO2. However, in patients with LG, there was no significant change in arterial blood gas analysis parameters. It was speculated that these findings concerning respiratory function and blood gas analysis in patients with MYD were caused by the involvement of the diaphragm. In the supine posture, the diaphragm shifted to the cranial position because of the abdominal contents rising into thorax, therefore the lung volume was reduced and the ventilation-perfusion ratio deteriorated. The changes of respiratory function parameters and PaO2 were partly responsible for the hypoxemia observed during sleep in patients with MYD. Overnight polysomnography showed that 9 of the 10 patients with MYD and 1 of the 5 patients with LG presented apneas during sleep, particularly during REM, stage 1 and stage 2. Almost all apneas were central type, with a low percentage of obstructive apneas and the apnea index was 19.0/h (mean) in MYD, 6.5/h in one case of LG. These result strongly suggest that sleep apnea is of central origin, but the distinction between a central and an obstructive etiology is difficult in neuromuscular disease and particularly when a disorder of central ventilatory responsiveness is suspected. The respiratory function of MYD and LG in seated and supine postures was studied and overnight polysomnography performed. It was emphasized that it was important for the respiratory care of neuromuscular disease to consider the influence of postural changes in the respiratory function. The present series of studies revealed central sleep apnea in the patients with myotonic dystrophy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Reversible model of RNA toxicity and cardiac conduction defects in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM1), the most common muscular dystrophy in adults, is caused by an expanded (CTG)n tract in the 3' UTR of the gene encoding myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK), which results in nuclear entrapment of the 'toxic' mutant RNA and interacting RNA-binding proteins (such as MBNL1) in ribonuclear inclusions. It is unclear if therapy aimed at eliminating the toxin would be beneficial. To address this, we generated transgenic mice expressing the DMPK 3' UTR as part of an inducible RNA transcript encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP). We were surprised to find that mice overexpressing a normal DMPK 3' UTR mRNA reproduced cardinal features of myotonic dystrophy, including myotonia, cardiac conduction abnormalities, histopathology and RNA splicing defects in the absence of detectable nuclear inclusions. However, we observed increased levels of CUG-binding protein (CUG-BP1) in skeletal muscle, as seen in individuals with DM1. Notably, these effects were reversible in both mature skeletal and cardiac muscles by silencing transgene expression. These results represent the first in vivo proof of principle for a therapeutic strategy for treatment of myotonic dystrophy by ablating or silencing expression of the toxic RNA molecules.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal dominant disorder that results in skeletal muscle weakness and wasting, myotonia, and numerous nonmuscular manifestations including frontal balding, cataracts, gonadal dysfunction, cardiac conduction abnormalities, respiratory insufficiency, and hypersomnolence. Although the gene defect in myotonic dystrophy has been mapped to chromosome 19, the exact metabolic abnormalities responsible for this disorder are unknown. Skeletal muscle has been found to be relatively insulin-resistant in myotonic dystrophy, and a decrease in the anabolic action of insulin on skeletal muscle may be related to muscle wasting in this disorder. Laboratory studies, including electromyography, electrocardiography, and muscle biopsy, are helpful in evaluating patients for this disorder, but the clinical aspects and a careful family history remain the mainstays of diagnosis. A number of management strategies preserve function and prevent complications in myotonic dystrophy.

Humans↗

Foot deformity in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is a progressive multisystem disorder that may be inherited from either parent, although only children with affected mothers usually show the more severe congenital form of the condition; others are classified as having adult myotonic dystrophy. Since 1940, 29 patients with myotonic dystrophy (10 adult, 17 congenital, two unclassified) have been followed at the Alfred I. duPont Institute. Treatment protocols have been established for the treatment of talipes equinovarus deformity commonly seen in the congenital form of myotonic dystrophy, as well as the progressive dropfoot gait more commonly seen in the adult form.

Adolescent↗

Warm heart operation in a patient with myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is the most severe form of myotonic disorder. Hypothermia or hyperkalemia may cause generalized muscle contraction during heart operations. We successfully repaired an atrial septal defect and pulmonary stenosis in a patient with myotonic dystrophy using systemic normothermia with continuous normokalemic coronary perfusion. This is the second reported case of a patient with myotonic dystrophy who underwent a cardiac operation.

Adult↗