Analysis of motor and respiratory function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

INTRODUCTION: Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD) shows motor and respiratory impairment.

METHODS: 19 DMD patients(DMDG) (nine ambulatory and 10 non-ambulatory) were evaluated through motor function measure(MFM), 6-minute walk test(6MWT), respiratory muscle strength, cough peak flow, spirometry and volumetric capnography(VCap) tools. Control group that performed spirometry and VCap(CG1-n = 17) were different from those that performed the 6MWT(CG2-n = 8).

RESULTS: The follow tools were assessed (p < 0.05): (i)-MFM: Ambulatory patients showed higher values than non-ambulatory patients; (ii)-6MWT: DMDG walked a shorter distance and showed higher respiratory rate at rest and heart rate(HR) at rest than CG2; (iii)-Spirometry: DMDG and non-ambulatory patients had minor values achieved in spirometry when compared with CG1 and ambulatory patients, respectively; (iv)-VCap: DMDG when compared with CG1 showed: (<11 years-old) lower values in VCap parameters; (>11 years-old): higher HR and lower slope 2. There was correlation between spirometry, mainly for zFEV1 /FVC, and MFM.

CONCLUSION: DMDG showed motor (MFM/6MWT) and respiratory (spirometry/VCap) deterioration when compared with CG. Non-ambulatory condition was associated with worse MFM and spirometry.