Being ambulatory does not secure respiratory functions of Duchenne patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to assess the respiratory functions of ambulatory Duchenne patients and to propose an earlier time period for intervention.


METHODS
Lung functions and North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) scores of Duchenne patients were evaluated simultaneously.


RESULTS
Thirty ambulatory Duchenne patients were included in this study. NSAA scores of the patients were directly correlated with arm abduction, arm adduction, and shoulder flexion strengths. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted and forced vital capacity (FVC) percent predicted correlated inversely to age and to the NSAA score. Twelve of 13 patients with FVC values lower than 80% of predicted had NSAA scores below 24 points. None of the patients who were younger than 7 years had FVC values lower than 80% of predicted.


CONCLUSIONS
Annual spirometry is necessary for Duchenne patients older than 6 years regardless of the ambulatory status.
Department of Pediatric Neurology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
Barış
B
Ekici
Yakup
Y
Ergül
Burak
B
Tatlı
Feride
F
Bilir
Fatih
F
Binboğa
Ayşe
A
Süleyman
Zeynep
Z
Tamay
Mine
M
Calışkan
Nermin
N
Güler