In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (synonyms: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy; ICD-10-GM G71.0: muscular dystrophy) is an X-linked recessive muscle disease that manifests in early childhood. It is associated with muscle weakness and atrophy (wasting) of the muscles.
It is the most common inherited muscular disorder in childhood.
Up to 30% of cases occur sporadically as a result of new mutations.
Sex ratio: Almost exclusively boys are affected! Note: A smaller percentage of conductors (females who carry the hereditary predisposition for this trait) manifest a milder form of the disease (= symptomatic form of muscular dystrophy in heterozygous females).
Frequency peak: Between the 3rd and 5th year of life, the first symptomatic manifestations occur with the onset of muscle weakness in the legs.
The prevalence (disease incidence) is 1:3,300 among male newborns.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) is 20-30 cases per 100,000 boys born per year (in Germany; Western Europe, in the world).
Course and prognosis: The disease is associated with progressive muscular atrophy (muscle atrophy), so that the affected person is usually dependent on complete care around the 2nd decade of life. The mortality rate of this disease increases with age, as gradual atrophy occurs in the respiratory and cardiac muscles. The average life expectancy is 26 years.
Comorbidities: Epilepsy (2%), ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, and sleep disorders are increasingly associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
