Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Canadian paediatric neuromuscular physicians survey.
BACKGROUND
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in childhood.


METHODS
To assess the current care of paediatric DMD patients in Canada, a questionnaire was mailed to 17 physicians who were members of the Canadian paediatric neuromuscular group. Areas of enquiry included; 1) multidisciplinary team composition; 2) means of DMD diagnosis; 3) corticosteroid use; surveillance and management for: 4) orthopaedic, 5) respiratory and 6) cardiac complications and 7) health maintenance (nutrition & immunizations).


RESULTS
Completed surveys were returned by 14/17 (82%) of physicians. Twelve respondents followed DMD patients. All centres had multidisciplinary teams, including respirology (11/12), child neurology or physiatry (11), physiotherapy (9), occupational therapy (9) and orthopaedic surgery (7). Deflazacort 0.9 mg/kg/d was used at all centres, which was continued after loss of independent ambulation (11), along with routine calcium and vitamin D supplementation (10). Night splints were prescribed at all centres. Routine surveillance studies included pulmonary function testing (11), sleep studies (10), EKG/echocardiogram (10), bone density (DEXA) scans (10), spine radiography (9), and dietician referral (4).


CONCLUSIONS
Paediatric DMD patients are receiving relatively consistent care in multidisciplinary clinics across Canada, in accordance with recommended guidelines for DMD.
McMillan
Hugh J
HJ
Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa.
Campbell
Craig
C
Mah
Jean K
JK
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010372:Pediatrics; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires