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Skolka MP, Milone M, Litchy WJ, Laughlin RS, Rubin DI, Liewluck T. The utility of electrodiagnostic testing in unprovoked rhabdomyolysis in the era of next-generation sequencing. Muscle Nerve 2024; 70:180-186. [PMID: 38533679 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Rhabdomyolysis is an etiologically heterogeneous, acute necrosis of myofibers characterized by transient marked creatine kinase (CK) elevation associated with myalgia, muscle edema, and/or weakness. The study aimed to determine the role of electrodiagnostic (EDX) testing relative to genetic testing and muscle biopsy in patients with unprovoked rhabdomyolysis in identifying an underlying myopathy. METHODS EDX database was reviewed to identify unprovoked rhabdomyolysis patients who underwent EDX testing between January 2012 and January 2022. Each patient's clinical profile, EDX findings, muscle pathology, laboratory, and genetic testing results were analyzed. RESULTS Of 66 patients identified, 32 had myopathic electromyography (EMG). Muscle biopsy and genetic testing were performed in 41 and 37 patients, respectively. A definitive diagnosis was achieved in 15 patients (11 myopathic EMG and 4 nonmyopathic EMG; p = .04) based on abnormal muscle biopsy (4/11 patients) or genetic testing (12/12 patients, encompassing 5 patients with normal muscle biopsy and 3 patients with nonmyopathic EMG). These included seven metabolic and eight nonmetabolic myopathies (five muscular dystrophies and three ryanodine receptor 1 [RYR1]-myopathies). Patients were more likely to have baseline weakness (p < .01), elevated baseline CK (p < .01), and nonmetabolic myopathies (p = .03) when myopathic EMG was identified. DISCUSSION Myopathic EMG occurred in approximately half of patients with unprovoked rhabdomyolysis, more likely in patients with weakness and elevated CK at baseline. Although patients with myopathic EMG were more likely to have nonmetabolic myopathies, nonmyopathic EMG did not exclude myopathy, and genetic testing was primarily helpful to identify an underlying myopathy. Genetic testing should likely be first-tier diagnostic testing following unprovoked rhabdomyolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Devon I Rubin
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Teerin Liewluck
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Voermans NC, Bhai S, Laforet P, Vissing J. Diagnostic workup of rhabdomyolysis: Genetic testing should precede neurophysiological testing. Muscle Nerve 2024. [PMID: 39039853 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Salman Bhai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Neuromuscular Center, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Pascal Laforet
- Neurology Department, Raymond-Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France
| | - John Vissing
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Elafros MA, Seth A. Recognizing Myopathy in Patients with Muscle Weakness or Pain. Prim Care 2024; 51:311-326. [PMID: 38692777 DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Muscle weakness and pain can be seen in orthopedic, rheumatologic, cardiac, and musculoskeletal conditions in addition to neurologic disorders. Myopathy, which describes a heterogenous group of hereditary and acquired disorders that affect muscle channels, structure, and metabolism, is one possible cause. This review focuses on essential information to support primary care providers as they assess patients with muscle weakness and pain for myopathy. As with most neurologic disorders, a thorough clinical history and physical examination are essential first steps. These findings will then guide diagnostic testing and facilitate appropriate management or referral for further neuromuscular care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Elafros
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 5015 AAT-BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Arjun Seth
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, 710 North Lake Shore Drive, Abbott Hall, 11th floor, Office #1112, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Traverso M, Baratto S, Iacomino M, Di Duca M, Panicucci C, Casalini S, Grandis M, Falace A, Torella A, Picillo E, Onore ME, Politano L, Nigro V, Innes AM, Barresi R, Bruno C, Zara F, Fiorillo C, Scala M. DAG1 haploinsufficiency is associated with sporadic and familial isolated or pauci-symptomatic hyperCKemia. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:342-349. [PMID: 38177406 PMCID: PMC10923780 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01516-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
DAG1 encodes for dystroglycan, a key component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) with a pivotal role in skeletal muscle function and maintenance. Biallelic loss-of-function DAG1 variants cause severe muscular dystrophy and muscle-eye-brain disease. A possible contribution of DAG1 deficiency to milder muscular phenotypes has been suggested. We investigated the genetic background of twelve subjects with persistent mild-to-severe hyperCKemia to dissect the role of DAG1 in this condition. Genetic testing was performed through exome sequencing (ES) or custom NGS panels including various genes involved in a spectrum of muscular disorders. Histopathological and Western blot analyses were performed on muscle biopsy samples obtained from three patients. We identified seven novel heterozygous truncating variants in DAG1 segregating with isolated or pauci-symptomatic hyperCKemia in all families. The variants were rare and predicted to lead to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay or the formation of a truncated transcript. In four cases, DAG1 variants were inherited from similarly affected parents. Histopathological analysis revealed a decreased expression of dystroglycan subunits and Western blot confirmed a significantly reduced expression of beta-dystroglycan in muscle samples. This study supports the pathogenic role of DAG1 haploinsufficiency in isolated or pauci-symptomatic hyperCKemia, with implications for clinical management and genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Traverso
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Serena Baratto
- Centre of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Di Duca
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Panicucci
- Centre of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Casalini
- Centre of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Falace
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Department of Precision Medicine, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Esther Picillo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Onore
- Department of Precision Medicine, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Luisa Politano
- Department of Precision Medicine, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - A Micheil Innes
- Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Claudio Bruno
- Centre of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Marcello Scala
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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Dratch L, Azage M, Baldwin A, Johnson K, Paul RA, Bardakjian TM, Michon SC, Amado DA, Baer M, Deik AF, Elman LB, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Guo MH, Hamedani AG, Irwin DJ, Lasker A, Orthmann-Murphy J, Quinn C, Tropea TF, Scherer SS, Ellis CA. Genetic testing in adults with neurologic disorders: indications, approach, and clinical impacts. J Neurol 2024; 271:733-747. [PMID: 37891417 PMCID: PMC11095966 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The role of genetic testing in neurologic clinical practice has increased dramatically in recent years, driven by research on genetic causes of neurologic disease and increased availability of genetic sequencing technology. Genetic testing is now indicated for adults with a wide range of common neurologic conditions. The potential clinical impacts of a genetic diagnosis are also rapidly expanding, with a growing list of gene-specific treatments and clinical trials, in addition to important implications for prognosis, surveillance, family planning, and diagnostic closure. The goals of this review are to provide practical guidance for clinicians about the role of genetics in their practice and to provide the neuroscience research community with a broad survey of current progress in this field. We aim to answer three questions for the neurologist in practice: Which of my patients need genetic testing? What testing should I order? And how will genetic testing help my patient? We focus on common neurologic disorders and presentations to the neurology clinic. For each condition, we review the most current guidelines and evidence regarding indications for genetic testing, expected diagnostic yield, and recommended testing approach. We also focus on clinical impacts of genetic diagnoses, highlighting a number of gene-specific therapies recently approved for clinical use, and a rapidly expanding landscape of gene-specific clinical trials, many using novel nucleotide-based therapeutic modalities like antisense oligonucleotides and gene transfer. We anticipate that more widespread use of genetic testing will help advance therapeutic development and improve the care, and outcomes, of patients with neurologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laynie Dratch
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Meron Azage
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Aaron Baldwin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kelsey Johnson
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rachel A Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tanya M Bardakjian
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Sarepta Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sara-Claude Michon
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Defne A Amado
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael Baer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Andres F Deik
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lauren B Elman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Spark Therapeutics Inc, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael H Guo
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ali G Hamedani
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Aaron Lasker
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Colin Quinn
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Thomas F Tropea
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Steven S Scherer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Colin A Ellis
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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6
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Sun Z, Wang X, White Z, Dormuth C, Morales F, Bernatchez P. Dyslipidemia in Muscular Dystrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023:JND230064. [PMID: 37182897 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are characterized by chronic muscle wasting but also poorly understood metabolic co-morbidities. We have recently shown that Duchenne MD (DMD) patients, dogs and asymptomatic carriers are affected by a new form of dyslipidemia that may exacerbate muscle damage. OBJECTIVE We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis for evidence that other types of MDs are associated with dyslipidemia compared to healthy controls. METHODS Search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for reports that compare plasma/serum lipids from MD patients and controls, and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies quantifying total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and triglycerides was performed. RESULTS Out of 749 studies, 17 met our inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. 14 of the 17 studies (82% ) included investigated myotonic dystrophy (DM); other studies were on pseudohypertrophic MD (PMD) or DMD. As a whole, MD individuals had significantly higher levels of circulating total cholesterol (Hedges' g with 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 [0.03 - 1.56]; p = 0.04) and triglycerides (Hedges' g with 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28[0.63 - 3.92]; p = 0.01) compared to controls. Meta-regression analysis showed the percentage of male gender was significantly associated with the difference in total cholesterol (beta = 0.05; 95% CI, - 0.02 to 0.11; p = 0.043) and high-density lipoprotein (beta = - 9.38; 95% CI, - 16.26 to - 2.50; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS MD is associated with significantly higher circulating levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. However, caution on the interpretation of these findings is warranted and future longitudinal research is required to better understand this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeren Sun
- University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
- UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Xindi Wang
- University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
- UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Zoe White
- University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
- UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Colin Dormuth
- University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Fernando Morales
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa Rica, SanJosé, Costa Rica
| | - Pascal Bernatchez
- University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
- UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
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Ng KWP, Chin HL, Chin AXY, Goh DLM. Using gene panels in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders: A mini-review. Front Neurol 2022; 13:997551. [PMID: 36313509 PMCID: PMC9602396 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.997551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of inherited neuromuscular disorders is challenging due to their genetic and phenotypic variability. Traditionally, neurophysiology and histopathology were primarily used in the initial diagnostic approach to these conditions. Sanger sequencing for molecular diagnosis was less frequently utilized as its application was a time-consuming and cost-intensive process. The advent and accessibility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the evaluation process of genetically heterogenous neuromuscular disorders. Current NGS diagnostic testing approaches include gene panels, whole exome sequencing (WES), and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Gene panels are often the most widely used, being more accessible due to availability and affordability. In this mini-review, we describe the benefits and risks of clinical genetic testing. We also discuss the utility, benefits, challenges, and limitations of using gene panels in the evaluation of neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay W. P. Ng
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui-Lin Chin
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amanda X. Y. Chin
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Denise Li-Meng Goh
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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