Relationship between Respiratory Muscle Strength and Cardiac Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

, Kang, Seong Woong; , Shin, Hyun Joon; , Im, Sang Hee; , Lee, Sang Chul; , Chang, Won Hyuk; , Kim, Yong Kyun; , Kim, Jong Chan

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2009;33(3):316-320.

Kang, Seong Woong , Shin, Hyun Joon , Im, Sang Hee , Lee, Sang Chul , Chang, Won Hyuk , Kim, Yong Kyun , Kim, Jong Chan

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute of Muscular Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.
²Department of Cardiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.
³Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Korea.
⁴Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Korea. bettertomo@naver.com

두시엔느 근디스트로피 환자에서 호흡근 근력과 심장기능 간의 연관성

강성웅, 신현준¹, 임상희², 이상철³, 장원혁, 김용균³, 김종찬

연세대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실 및 근육병 재활연구소, ¹심장내과학교실, ²제주대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실, ³관동대학교 의과대학 명지병원 재활의학교실

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and cardiac function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Method
This study included 37 patients with DMD. Cardiac function of patients was evaluated by thoracic echocardiography, which recorded left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) representing respiratory muscle strength and blood sampling for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were performed.
Results
LVEF did not show significant correlation with MIP, MEP or age. However, LVEF was negatively correlated with BNP level.
Conclusion
Cardiac dysfunction of patients with DMD didn't correlate with age or respiratory muscle strength. Therefore, investigation of cardiac function itself is needed for patients with DMD irrespective of respiratory compromises. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2009; 33: 316- 320)

Key Words: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Respiratory muscle, Ejection fraction, Brain natriuretic peptide