Aging with Muscular Dystrophy: Pathophysiology and Clinical Management

• Published in: Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 429 - 450
• Main Authors: Carter, Gregory T., MD, MS, Weiss, Michael D., MD, Chamberlain, Joel R., PhD, Han, Jay J., MD, Abresch, Richard T., MS, Miró, Jordi, PhD, Jensen, Mark P., PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2010
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adaptation, Physiological; Adolescent; Adult; Aging; Aging - physiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Combined Modality Therapy; Disability Evaluation; Disabled Persons; Female; Humans; Male; Management; Middle Aged; Muscular Dystrophies - mortality; Muscular Dystrophies - physiopathology; Muscular Dystrophies - therapy; Muscular dystrophy; Pathophysiology; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Sickness Impact Profile; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Aging; Management; Pathophysiology; Muscular dystrophy
• ISSN: 1047-9651; 1558-1381
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2009.12.001

Major advances in the fields of medical science and physiology, molecular genetics, biomedical engineering, and computer science have provided individuals with muscular dystrophy (MD) with more functional equipment, allowing better strategies for improvement of quality of life. These advances have also allowed a significant number of these patients to live much longer. As progress continues to change management, it also changes patients' expectations. A comprehensive medical and rehabilitative approach to management of aging MD patients can often fulfill expectations and help them enjoy an enhanced quality of life.