Prognosis

DMD

DMD is a life-limiting condition. The survival of patients with DMD has improved over time, with an increase from a median of 26 years for those born between 1955 and 1969 to 41 years for those born between 1970 and 1994. This is due primarily to increased use of corticosteroid therapy, non-invasive ventilation, and cardioprotective medicines.[9]

Patients with DMD typically lose the ability to walk by around age 12 years, have established cardiomyopathy by age 18 years, and require ventilatory support by age 20 years.[9][31]

Other muscular dystrophies

Disease severity, time of onset, and prognosis vary greatly among and within other muscular dystrophies.[12][13][14][15]​​ For example, the severity of myotonic dystrophy type 1 varies widely among affected individuals, and even among members of the same family.[12]

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

For patients with SMA, earlier age of onset of symptoms is generally associated with shorter survival. The number of copies of the SMN2 gene also predicts survival and disease severity.​[4][28]​​

For children with type 1 SMA, typical survival is less than 1 year if supportive care is not provided, but enteral feeding and non-invasive ventilation can improve survival by months to years. Patients with type 2 SMA can live for several decades. Patients with type 3 SMA have a normal lifespan.​[4][28]

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