title: Prevalence of lifestyle risk factors in myotonic dystrophy type 1.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking has seldom been described in neuromuscular disorders, including myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). However, it is essential to document the unhealthy lifestyle habits as they can exacerbate existing impairments and disabilities. The objectives are: 1) To determine the prevalence of risk factors among individuals with DM1; 2) To compare the prevalence among classic and mild phenotypes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was done on a sample of two-hundred (200) patients with DM1 as part of a larger study. Lifestyle risk factors included being overweight or obese, tobacco smoking, illicit drug use, excessive alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. A registered nurse administered the validated public health survey. Categorization of risk factors were based on national standards and compared with provincial and regional prevalences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  50% of DM1 patients were overweight or obese, 23.6% were regular smokers, and 76% were physically inactive. Except for overweight and obesity, significant differences were observed between patients with classic and mild phenotypes for all the other lifestyle risk factors: those with the classic phenotype being more often regular smokers, consuming more often illicit drugs and being less physically active.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study will provide guidance for the development of better adapted and focussed health promotion interventions in the future.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les maladies neuromusculaires (GRIMN), Neuromuscular Clinic, Centre de Santé et de services sociaux de Jonquière, Québec, Canada. cynthia.gagnon4@usherbrooke.ca
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: Maud-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chouinard
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laberge
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brisson
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaudet
authors.forename: Mélissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leclerc
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathieu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity; D050177:Overweight; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012907:Smoking; D055815:Young Adult