Muscular dystrophies

PubMed, the internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, published a report, entitled “Nonmolecular treatment for muscular dystrophies“. The authors Busby K and Straub V from Newcastle upon Tyne Muscle Centre, Institute of Human Genetics, (UK) highlight emerging evidence on the management of patients with muscular dystrophies. New diagnostic modalities based on muscle biopsy and DNA analysis mean that diagnoses within the heterogeneous group of muscular dystrophies can be much more precise. At the same time, the spread of evidence based medicine into this area has led to an increase in clinical trial activity and the development of evidence based guidelines. Because many if not all muscular dystrophies are multisystem disorders, these guidelines relate not only to the limited number of interventions aimed at improving strength but also to the management of potentially life threatening complications. Because specific diagnoses carry specific management implications in many areas for these hitherto rather neglected disorders, a more proactive approach to patients with muscular dystrophies is needed. To access the abstract, click here.