Myotonic dystrophy type 1 as a major risk factor for severe COVID-19?

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Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Modeling Myotonic Dystrophy 1 in C2C12 Myoblast Cells
09:39

Modeling Myotonic Dystrophy 1 in C2C12 Myoblast Cells

Published on: July 29, 2016

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Sebastiaan Dhont1, Rutger Callens2, Dieter Stevens3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. sebastiaan.dhont@ugent.be.

Acta Neurologica Belgica
|October 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) face severe outcomes from COVID-19. This case series highlights their high risk and poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for further research.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges to global healthcare systems.
  • Individuals with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), also known as Steinert's disease, are considered a high-risk group during infectious disease outbreaks.
  • Limited data exists regarding the specific impact of COVID-19 on patients with DM1.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical course and outcomes of hospitalized patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) who contracted COVID-19.
  • To assess the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 in this vulnerable patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A case series was conducted involving three hospitalized patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) between April 1-30, 2020.
  • Patients had advanced DM1, with two requiring nocturnal ventilatory support and two having limited respiratory capacity.
  • Clinical data, including comorbidities and treatments received, were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • All three patients with DM1 admitted for COVID-19 experienced severe disease.
  • Despite maximal supportive care, including oxygen therapy, respiratory physiotherapy, and non-invasive ventilation, all three patients died from COVID-19.
  • Comorbidities included obesity in two patients; diabetes mellitus was absent.

Conclusions:

  • This case series confirms that patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and poor outcomes.
  • Further clinical trials are essential to establish optimal management strategies and identify outcome determinants for DM1 patients with COVID-19.

Keywords:
COVID-19Myotonic dystrophyNeuromuscular disordersSARS-CoV-2Steinert’s disease

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