Bridging the Gap: An Osteopathic Primary Care–Centered Approach to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a deadly and incurable disease typically diagnosed in early childhood. Presently, the delay between a caregiver's initial concern and the primary care physician obtaining creatine kinase levels-the most important screening test-is more than a year. It is imperative to diagnose DMD as soon as possible because early treatment has the potential to double the patient's lifespan. In addition, because of geographic and economic disadvantages, multidisciplinary DMD treatment centers are not readily available to all patients. Therefore, the challenge of early diagnosis and treatment coordination rests with the primary care physician. The present review provides osteopathic primary care physicians with current and relevant information regarding DMD diagnosis and management.