Publication: Effect of Altitude on Age of Loss of Ambulation in Boys with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction
Early loss-of-ambulation (LOA) and death at young age are inevitable in Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD). Definite treatment of DMD is not available till date. Prolongation of ambulation and management of complications is the goal of treatment. In sports, high-altitude training is popular to improve athletic performance. We investigated the influence of altitude on DMD in relation to age at LOA.
Methods
It was a cross-sectional study done on 91 DMD patients, who have lost their ambulation, using the database of Muscular Dystrophy Foundation-Nepal. DMD boys living in different elevations of Nepal were divided into <200m (plain), 200-700m (intermediate), 700-1000m (middle), and >1000m (high) groups, and the age at LOA was recorded. Findings were tabulated and analyzed statistically using student's t-test and Log Rank test, with p <0.05 considered significant.
Results
Out of 91 DMD cases registered, 36 (39.6%), 34 (37.4%) were from plain (Terai) area and high land area of Nepal respectively; accounting 77% of the total patients. The median age at LOA for each group increased with elevation, and the LOA age in the high-land group (median ± SD; 11.20 ± 2.78) was significantly higher than that in the low-land group (9.62 ± 2.02) by about 2 years (p <0.005).
Conclusion
Our study indicated a longer period of independent walking for DMD patients living in high altitude areas. DMD boys might benefit by rehabilitation at higher altitude.
Description
Rohit Pokharel
Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Nepal (MDF-Nepal), Kathmandu, Nepal
Author
Jagdish Prasad Agrawal
Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Nepal (MDF-Nepal), Kathmandu, Nepal
Author
Bidhyananda Chaudhary
Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Nepal (MDF-Nepal), Kathmandu, Nepal
Author
Amod Kumar Poudyal
Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Author
Atsuto Takeda
Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Author
Yuka Ishikawa
Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido Medical Center, Sapporo, Japan
Author
Yoshinori Nambu
Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
Author
Atsuko Takeuchi
Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Japan
Author
Hisahide Nishio
Author
Masafumi Matsuo
Author
Keywords
Altitude, DMD, loss-of-ambulation, muscle wasting