Efficacy and tolerance of gastrostomy feeding in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Undernutrition occurs often in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Between 1997 and 2007, a gastrostomy was placed in 25 patients with DMD (median: 23 years old; range, 11-38 years) for weight loss (n=22) and/or swallowing disorders (n=13). We evaluated nutritional status using the weight-for-age (W/A) ratio, comparing the values to the reference curve for DMD patients. During the first 9 months, nutritional status improved: the W/A ratio increased and reached a plateau. The W/A ratio was 69% (range, 45-128%) at the start and increased to 87% (range, 49-164%) at the maximal follow-up of 22 months (P<0.001). However, the W/A ratio did not reach the median value for age. Complications occurred in 21 patients (84%), but caused no mortality. Our data suggest that gastrostomy is well tolerated by, and effective for improving the nutritional status of, individuals with DMD.