Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine upper limb function and associated factors in adults with
Duchenne muscular dystrophy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A sample of
70 men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (age range 20-43 years). METHODS: General
motor function and, in particular, upper limb distal motor function, were
assessed with the Motor Function Measure. Muscle strength and range of motion of
the upper limb were evaluated using hand-held dynamo-metry, manual muscle-testing
and goniometry. Associations were studied using Spearman's correlation
coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: General motor
function was severely impaired. Wide variability was found in distal motor
function, muscle strength and range of motion of the upper limb, especially in
early adulthood. Muscle strength and range of motion explained 76% of the
variance in upper limb distal motor function. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates
a large variability in upper limb function in adult patients with Duchenne
muscular dystrophy, and identifies muscle strength and range of motion as factors
strongly associated with upper limb function. These results suggest that
preserving muscle strength and range of motion in Duchenne patients might be
relevant for a better outcome of distal motor function of the upper limb when
adult.

Langue : ANGLAIS