2, 3, 4, 5.
Loss of respiratory function is one of the most severe complications of DMD. The involvement of chest wall and diaphragm muscles come out as muscle fatigue and thoracic deformities demonstrated by a decreasing Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) 1,6. Spirometry is one of the leading tools for monitoring DMD, it is widely used and easily accessible. The progressive decline in its parameters, especially FVC and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), is an important indicator of clinical deterioration 7.
Early diagnosis is able to prevent unfavorable outcomes at very young ages. Unfortunately, delays in identifying DMD are common and can be devastating for patients and their families. A study by Wong et al (2015) found a time difference of 6 months to 4 years between the first concerns about the child’s development and confirmation of DMD8,9. Late diagnoses can impair access to corticosteroids, first-line drugs capable of altering the natural history of the disease 9.
The purpose of this non-systematic review is evaluate the main aspects of recognition, monitoring, and management of pulmonary changes in DMD.