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Updated: May 28, 2026

Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Being ambulatory does not secure respiratory functions of Duchenne patients
Barış Ekici1, Yakup Ergül, Burak Tatlı
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
Aim:
The aim of this work was to assess the respiratory functions of ambulatory Duchenne patients and to propose an earlier time period for intervention.
Materials And Methods:
Lung functions and North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) scores of Duchenne patients were evaluated simultaneously.
Results:
Thirty ambulatory Duchenne patients were included in this study. NSAA scores of the patients were directly correlated with arm abduction, arm adduction, and shoulder flexion strengths. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted and forced vital capacity (FVC) percent predicted correlated inversely to age and to the NSAA score. Twelve of 13 patients with FVC values lower than 80% of predicted had NSAA scores below 24 points. None of the patients who were younger than 7 years had FVC values lower than 80% of predicted.
Conclusion:
Annual spirometry is necessary for Duchenne patients older than 6 years regardless of the ambulatory status.
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