Functional performance and muscular strength in symptomatic female carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) usually affects men. However, women are also affected in rare instances. Approximately 8% of female DMD carriers have muscle weakness and cardiomyopathy. The early identification of functional and motor impairments can support clinical decision making. Objective: To investigate the motor and functional impairments of 10 female patients with dystrophinopathy diagnosed with clinical, pathological, genetic and immunohistochemical studies. Methods: A descriptive study of a sample of symptomatic female carriers of DMD mutations. The studied variables were muscular strength and functional performance. Results: The prevalence was 10/118 (8.4%) symptomatic female carriers. Deletions were found in seven patients. The age of onset of symptoms in female carriers of DMD was quite variable. Pseudohypertrophy of calf muscles, muscular weakness, compensatory movements and longer timed performance on functional tasks were observed in most of the cases. Differently from males with DMD, seven female patients showed asymmetrical muscular weakness. The asymmetric presentation of muscle weakness was frequent and affected posture and functionality in some cases. The functional performance presents greater number of compensatory movements. Time of execution of activities was not a good biomarker of functionality for this population, because it does not change in the same proportion as the number of movement compensations. Conclusion: Clinical manifestation of asymmetrical muscle weakness and compensatory movements, or both can be found in female carriers of DMD mutations, which can adversely affect posture and functional performance of these patients.

Resumo

A distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD) geralmente afeta indivíduos do sexo masculino. No entanto, mulheres também são acometidas em casos raros. Aproximadamente 8% das portadoras de DMD têm fraqueza muscular ou cardiomiopatia. A identificação precoce das alterações funcionais e motoras pode alterar a tomada de decisão clínica. Objetivo: Investigar as deficiências motoras e funcionais de 10 pacientes do sexo feminino com distrofinopatia diagnosticada por estudos clínicos, patológicos, genéticos e imuno-histoquímicos. Método: Estudo descritivo de uma amostra de portadoras sintomáticas de mutações DMD. As variáveis estudadas foram força muscular e desempenho funcional. Resultados: A prevalência foi de 10/118 (8,4%) de portadoras sintomáticas de DMD. Foram encontradas deleções em sete pacientes. A idade de início dos sintomas em portadoras de DMD foi variável. Pseudo-hipertrofia de panturrilhas, movimentos compensatórios, fraqueza muscular e aumento no tempo de execução de tarefas funcionais foram observados na maioria dos casos. Diferentemente dos homens com DMD, sete pacientes apresentaram fraqueza muscular assimétrica. A apresentação assimétrica da fraqueza muscular foi frequente, podendo afetar a postura e a funcionalidade. O desempenho funcional geralmente apresenta aumento no número de movimentos compensatórios. Não podemos sempre considerar o tempo como um bom marcador de funcionalidade para essa população, uma vez que não muda na mesma proporção que o número de compensações em todas essas pacientes. Conclusão: Fraqueza muscular assimétrica e movimentos compensatórios, ou ambos, podem ser encontrados em portadoras sintomáticas de DMD, o que pode afetar a postura e a funcionalidade dessas pacientes.

Keywords:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy - motor activity - muscle strength - female

Palavras-chave:

distrofia muscular de Duchenne - atividade motora - força muscular - feminino

Female carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) could develop symptoms of the disease and are classified as “symptomatic” or “manifesting”. Usually, the clinical presentation is milder than in male carriers, including asymmetric muscle weakness with proximal predominance and onset age variable[1] ^, [2]. Almost 8% of DMD female carriers present some symptom, including some level of muscular weakness with or without cardiomyopathy[3] ^, [4]. Therefore, we use the term symptomatic female carriers when relating to symptomatic carriers of DMD mutations, in which DMD refers to the gene and not to the disease.

The early stages of motor function decline in DMD are already well known, including loss of walking ability, which occurs on average at nine years of age in men[5]. However, in symptomatic female carriers, that information is poorly described in the literature, as well as the analysis of the performance in functional tasks. Rather, several studies characterize the cardiac symptomatology in female carriers of DMD[3] ^, [4] ^, [6], and few report muscle disorders[7] ^, [8].

Studies of symptomatic female carriers with DMD mutations have been rarely performed in Brazil[9] ^, [10]. The present research differs from the others due to our main purpose, which is to describe the performance in functional tasks, and the muscular strength of these patients. Identification of functional changes in neuromuscular disorders is important to provide grounds for appropriate clinical decision. Epidemiological and clinical studies of these patients can clarify this issue.

METHODS

Descriptive study of a sample of symptomatic female carriers of DMD mutations, confirmed by molecular diagnostics at the Physiotherapy Service of the Human Genome Research Center, Universidade de São Paulo, from June 2008 to August 2015. Genetic counselling service recommended genetic testing of mothers of all individuals affected by DMD; consequently, the carriers were identified. Furthermore, some patients under examination for other neuromuscular diseases were also identified as symptomatic female carriers of DMD mutations. Investigations had included full medical history, as well as neurological and cardiological examination.

The classification of patients as symptomatic carriers was based on the presence of regular muscle cramps and pains, affecting or not daily life activities, muscle weakness in at least one muscle group and cardiomyopathy clearly described or detected by echocardiogram. The screening for mutations in the dystrophin gene was done with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Symptomatic female carriers of DMD mutations were submitted to muscle biopsy and histomorphological study. Furthermore, muscle protein analyses were performed by immunohistochemistry, which evidenced dystrophic pattern.

All charts (n=118) from DMD female carriers were analyzed. Thereafter, 10 DMD female carriers showing clinical symptoms were detected. Data collected included muscular strength, measured by the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, and clinical staging, evaluated using Vignos Scale and Functional Evaluation Scale for DMD. Muscle strength of the upper limbs was performed on the flexors, extensors and abductors of the shoulder; flexors and extensors of the elbow; and flexors and extensors of the wrist. In the lower limbs, the flexors, extensors and adductors of the hip, flexors and extensors of the knee and dorsiflexors and flexors of the ankle were evaluated.

After the clinical evaluation of muscle strength, the percentage was calculated with the MRC index (sum of the score divided by the number of muscles tested, considering body segments). The criterion for determining muscle strength asymmetry considered different findings between sides of the body midline. Functional Evaluation Scale for DMD (FES-DMD) was performed using a systematic observation, with measurement of task execution time and qualitative analysis of movements. This scale has four domains: sitting on and standing from the chair[11]; sitting on and standing from the ground[12]; going up and down the stairs[13]; and gait[14]. In addition, postural evaluation was performed in orthostatic posture with the posture grid (Carci^®) and direct observation and record of disorders. All data were collected by qualified Neuromuscular Physical Therapists, who were part of research.

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Universidade Federal de São Paulo.

RESULTS

In our sample, prevalence was 10/118 (8.4%) of symptomatic female carriers. Age ranged from 8 to 62 years, demonstrating an important heterogeneity. The onset age of manifesting symptoms varied from 1 to 50 years. Vignos classification score ranged from 0 to 4. Functional general data are listed in [Table 1].

Table 1 General patient information.

Patient	Age	Onset of symptoms (age)	Diagnosis (age)	Funcional performance	Vignos scale	Muscle strength	Postural changes	Follow-up period (number of evaluations over the years)
1	8	7	8	Walks and climbs stairs with discrete compensatory movements	P	Symmetrical proximal muscle weakness	Without changes	1
2	20	NI	20	Walks and climbs stairs with discrete compensatory movements	P	Asymmetrical proximal muscle weakness	Without changes	1
3	20	1	17	Walks and climbs stairs with compensatory movements	01	Asymmetrical proximal muscle weakness	Left thoracic scoliosis	2 evaluations in 3 years
4	22	3	14	Standing from the chair performing Gowers. Walks and climbs stairs with compensations.	02	Asymmetric global muscle weakness	Lumbar hyperlordosis, globular abdomen	4 evaluations in 5 years
5	30	22	30	Walks and climbs stairs with compensations. Standing from the floor performing Gowers	01	Asymmetrical proximal muscle weakness	Without changes	1
6	34	25	34	Standing from the chair and the floor, walks and climbs stairs with compensatory movements.	02	Asymmetrical proximal muscle weakness	Lumbar hyperlordosis, protruding shoulders	1
7	37	20	41	Can’t go up stairs. Depends on help to standing from the floor and the chair. Walks with Canadian crutch.	05	Asymmetric global muscle weakness	Lumbar hyperlordosis, globular abdomen	6 evaluations in 6 years
8	43	NI	40	Climbs stairs with compensatory movements	02	Asymmetric global muscle weakness	Lumbar hyperlordosis, thoracic kyphosis	1
9	61	37	57	Walks with a cane. Stands from the floor with compensatory movements	02	Symmetrical global muscle weakness	Lumbar hyperlordosis, thoracic kyphosis	3 evaluations in 4 years
10	63	50	54	Walks and stands from the floor with compensatory movements	01	Asymmetric global muscle weakness	Lumbar hyperlordosis, left thoracic scoliosis	5 evaluations in 7 years

NI: no information; P: preclinical.

Deletions were found in seven patients. One case of duplication and two cases of point mutation were found. The most used method was MLPA. PCR confirmed the diagnosis of two patients, and NGS was used in three patients of the sample.

Pseudohypertrophy of calf muscles, compensatory movements and longer timed performance on functional tasks (sitting on and rising from a chair and from the ground, walking and climbing up and down steps) were observed in seven cases. The main complaints presented by the patients were functional performance and pain ([Table 2]).

Table 2 Clinical condition and the main complaints presented by the patients.

Patient	Pseudohypertrophy	Complaints	Pain	Falls	Cramps	Fatigue	DFP
1	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
2	Right calf	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
3	Calves	Posture	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
4	Calves	FP	Yes	Frequent	No	Yes	Yes
5	No	Pain / Fatigue	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
6	Right calf	FP	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
7	No	FP	Yes	Sporadic	Yes	Yes	Yes
8	Calves	Pain	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
9	Calves	Pain / Tremors	Yes	Sporadic	No	No	No
10	Calves	Pain / Fatigue	Yes	Sporadic	No	Yes	No

NI: no information; FP: functional performance; DFP: decline in functional performance.

Muscular weakness was detected with MRC tests in all cases. Differently from males with DMD, seven patients showed asymmetrical muscular weakness, which is very diverse ([Table 3]).

Table 3 Asymmetrical muscle weakness and muscle groups.

Patient	Muscle Groups
1	Symmetrical Global Weakness
2	Shoulder Extensors R, Hip Extensors L
3	Hip Flexors L
4	Hip Extensors R
5	Elbow Flexors L, Elbow Extensors L, Hip Flexors L
6	Shoulder Flexors L, Shoulder Extensors L, Shoulder Abductors L, Hip Flexors L, Hip Adductors L, Knee Extensors L
7	Shoulder Abductors R, Elbow Flexors R, Hip Flexors R, Hip Abdctors R
8	Shoulder Abductors L, Knee Extensors L
9	Symmetrical Global Weakness
10	Hip Extensors L, Hip Adductors R, Ankle Dorsiflexors R

L: left; R: right.

Younger patients showed less severe impairments than older ones. The loss of muscle strength occurred slowly and with little variation, although the intensity for patient number 4 has varied significantly during the period. Research on muscle strength index showed that patients 1, 2 and 3 have a lower motor impairment than the others. They are the youngest individuals in the sample, with all being younger than 20 years old at the time of evaluation ([Table 4]).

Table 4 Index of muscular strength (%) in the initial and final assessments of patients.

PATIENT	Proximal Upper Extremity		Distal Upper Extremity		Proximal Lower Extremity		Distal Lower Extremity
	Initial Assessment	Final Assessment	Initial Assessment	Final Assessment	Initial Assessment	Final Assessment	Initial Assessment	Final Assessment
1	86.7%	OE	97.5%	OE	93.3%	OE	100%	OE
2	96.7%	OE	100%	OE	96.7%	OE	100%	OE
3	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	96.7%	100%	100%
4	86.6%	60.2%	95.0%	75.5%	86.6%	63.3%	86.6%	65.3%
5	80.0%	OE	95.0%	OE	90.0%	OE	90.0%	OE
6	70.0%	OE	95.0%	OE	56.7%	OE	82.5%	OE
7	46.6%	43.3%	50.0%	65.0%	65.0%	60.0%	85.0%	75.0%
8	76.6%	OE	80.0%	OE	73.3%	OE	82.5%	OE
9	73.3%	73.3%	100%	90.0%	73.6%	73.3%	65.0%	70.0%
10	86.6%	80.0%	100%	85.0%	80.0%	80.0%	90.5%	77.5%

OE: one-off evaluation.

The FES-DMD systematized evaluation and allowed to compare these findings in symptomatic carriers with males affected by DMD. The performance in functional tasks presented a greater number of compensatory movements and longer task execution time, progressively. Thus, it was observed that older age patients performed worse in the tasks tested in this sample, as previously demonstrated in male patients.

DISCUSSION

The prevalence of symptomatic carriers found in our research is similar to other studies[3] ^, [4]. Samples with heterogeneous age and diversity in early symptoms are also evident in different studies[8] ^, [15] ^, [16] and suggest that the early onset of symptoms is related to the severity of the clinical condition[1] ^, [2]. It was possible to observe two cases of patients with onset of symptoms in early childhood in our sample. Patients 3 and 4 were less than four years old when symptoms first manifested, and both were ambulatory by the time they were twenty. Our sample size is not large but, considering the rarity of the situation and the scarcity of similar publications, this study raises awareness about this uncommon phenotype within the spectrum of dystrophinopathies.

In accordance with our findings, a previous study suggests that age is related to impaired motor and functional symptoms in these patients[16]. Our results show that among patients aged over 20 years it was possible to observe a greater impairment of muscle strength and functionality. There was also a consequent decline in subsequent evaluations, even if discrete in some cases. Other studies show a severe impairment in symptomatic patients of older ages[3] ^, [4]. The progression of the disease is determinant on myocardial dysfunction, which is supported by the findings of Grain et al.[17], that showed a relation between more advanced age and cardiac alterations[17]. Our research does not present cardiac data for the symptomatic carriers of DMD mutations; the focus is on motor impairments, and the individuals studied do not present isolated cardiac symptoms.

Pain and muscle weakness, in addition to cramps, are symptoms previously described in these patients[7] ^, [15]. In our sample, the complaints are probably related to the progressive decline of functional performance, which is due to muscle weakness. This decline causes impacts on activities of daily living (ADL), that can affect simple movements, such as walking, lifting objects and going up and down the stairs.

According to our findings, clinical evaluation with MRC was a reliable item for assessing muscle strength in these patients. In recent research, asymmetry was observed mainly in the gluteus and thigh adductor muscles, as evaluated with diagnostic imaging[8]. Oliveira et al.[18] evaluated 13 muscular biopsies of possible DMD carriers and, in six cases, dystrophin-positive and dystrophin-deficient mosaics were identified, which allowed the diagnostic confirmation of these carriers without discriminating functional dominance or muscle strength in the hemiforms[18].

The progression of DMD results in the development of compensatory movements to supply muscle weakness and the demand for ADLs[19]. They were observed during the performance of functional activities in the present study. No data were found reporting compensatory movements in symptomatic female carriers of DMD mutations for comparative purposes. Although the number of compensatory movements had been increasing throughout the evaluations, the time for performing the tasks did not increase in the same proportion. Many of the compensations performed by our study sample are the same as those often seen in males with DMD[11] ^, [13] ^, [14], as described in [Table 5].

Table 5 Comparison of compensatory movements between male and female DMD carriers.

Domain FES-DMD	Task	Compensatory movements male carriers of DMD**	Symptomatic female carriers of DMD mutations
D1	Sitting and standing from the chair	•Hyperextension of the knee •Hip rotation •Trunk rotation / inclination •Cervical spine hyperextension / rotation / inclination**	•Upper limbs Support •Increased base of support
D2	Gait	•Ankle plantar flexion •Medial hip rotation •Increased base of support •Head / trunk anteriorization**	•Pelvic tilt •Ankle plantar flexion •Hyperextension of the knee
D3	Climbing up and going down the stairs	•Increased base of support •Lumbar hyperlordosis •Ankle plantar flexion •Trunk inclination •Pelvic tilt**	•Pelvic tilt •Trunk inclination •Hyperextension of the knee •Upper limbs support
D4	Sitting down on / rising from the floor	Gower’s sign**	Upper limbs support

D1: Domain 1; D2: Domain 2; D3: Domain 3; D4: Domain 4; **as described by the following authors: Hukuda, 2014[11]; Martini, 2015[19]; Escórcio, 2011[12].

Changes in muscle strength and functional performance did not have a significant impact on the clinical staging of patients in our sample, with one exception. Vignos scale score showed a significant change in patient 7. She presented the initial symptoms at 20. In the initial evaluation, the score was 3 on the Vignos scale and progressed to 4 after two years and to 5 after one more year, though it was maintained in the following two years. In this case, there was an important functional alteration. Mercier et al.[20] presented in a sample of 26 symptomatic carriers that seven patients became wheelchair users (two cases before age 15 years)[20]. In our sample, except for the patient mentioned above, there was no significant impact on the evaluation of clinical staging over the years.

In other studies, deletions are the predominant mutations, as found by Juan-Mateu et al., who evaluated 40 carriers, of which 20 deletions, five duplications and three point mutations were identified[21]. Genetic data cannot be correlated with motor status, at first due to the reduced number of participants in most studies, unlike in male subjects with DMD.

The relevance of the use of functional scales is evident in these patients. Moreover, our study is the first one to use the Vignos scale to categorize the clinical staging of symptomatic female carriers, and the first to describe the motor performance of these patients with an evaluation scale, comparing the findings with the clinical condition of males.

One limitation of this study was the lack of determination of the X chromosome inactivation pattern. Nonetheless, this study did not compare motor function with genetic, cardiac and histopathologic data, which would provide a connection between genotype and phenotype and, consequently, enable us to understand the cause of the manifesting DMD status in this sample.

In conclusion, the age of which symptoms manifest in female carriers of DMD mutations is quite variable. Younger patients presented less muscular involvement with better functional performance, just like it had occurred in men. The asymmetric presentation of muscle weakness is frequent and can affect posture and functionality, with greater number of compensatory movements, progressively. We cannot consider time as a good biomarker of functionality for symptomatic female carriers of DMD mutations, because it does not change in the same proportion as the number of compensatory movements in all symptomatic carriers. Functional scales used to evaluate males with DMD could also be used in symptomatic carriers.

Conflict of interest:

There is no conflict of interest to declare.

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Publication History

Received: 17 August 2019

Accepted: 21 October 2019

Article published online:
02 June 2023