Reliability of the Apathy Evaluation Scale in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

Resistance training in women with myotonic dystrophy type 1: a multisystemic therapeutic avenue

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a hereditary disease characterized by muscular impairments. Fundamental and clinical positive effects of strength training have been reported in men with DM1, but its impact on women remains unknown. We evaluated the effects of a 12-week supervised strength training on physical and neuropsychiatric health. Women with DM1 performed a twice-weekly supervised resistance training program (3 series of 6-8 repetitions of squat, leg press, plantar flexion, knee extension, and hip abduction). Lower limb muscle strength, physical function, apathy, anxiety and depression, fatigue and excessive somnolence, pain, and patient-reported outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention, as well as three and six months after completion of the training program. Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were also taken before and after the training program to assess muscle fiber growth. Eleven participants completed the program (attendance: 98.5 %). Maximal hip and knee extension strength (p < 0.006), all One-Repetition Maximum strength measures (p < 0.001), apathy (p = 0.0005), depression (p = 0.02), pain interference (p = 0.01) and perception of the lower limb function (p = 0.003) were significantly improved by training. Some of these gains were maintained up to six months after the training program. Strength training is a good therapeutic strategy for women with DM1.

The Role of Cognition, Affective Symptoms, and Apathy in Treatment Adherence with Noninvasive Home Mechanical Ventilation in Myotonic Dystrophy

Background

Chronic respiratory failure often occurs in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and can be treated with noninvasive home mechanical ventilation (HMV). Treatment adherence with HMV is often suboptimal in patients with DM1, but the reasons for that are not well understood.

Objective

The aim of this exploratory study was to gain insight in the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, and apathy and to investigate their role in HMV treatment adherence in DM1.

Methods

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) were used to assess cognition, affective symptoms, and apathy in DM1 patients that use HMV. Patients with low treatment adherence (average daily use HMV <5 h or <80% of the days) were compared with patients with high treatment adherence (average daily use of HMV≥5 h and ≥80% of the days).

Results

Sixty patients were included. Abnormal scores were found in 40% of the total group for the MoCA, in 72-77% for the AES, and in 18% for HADS depression. There was no difference between the high treatment adherence group (n = 39) and the low treatment adherence group (n = 21) for the MoCA, AES, and HADS depression. The HADS anxiety was abnormal in 30% of the total group, and was significantly higher in the low treatment adherence group (p = 0.012). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a higher age and a higher BMI were associated with a greater chance of high treatment adherence.

Conclusions

This exploratory study showed that cognitive impairment and apathy are frequently present in DM1 patients that use HMV, but they are not associated with treatment adherence. Feelings of anxiety were associated with low treatment adherence. Higher age and higher BMI were associated with high treatment adherence with HMV.

Myotonic Dystrophy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) are genetic disorders affecting skeletal and smooth muscle, heart, brain, eyes, and other organs. The multisystem involvement and disease variability of myotonic dystrophy have presented challenges for clinical care and research. This article focuses on the diagnosis and management of the disease. In addition, recent advances in characterizing the diverse clinical manifestations and variability of the disease are discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies of the multisystem involvement of myotonic dystrophy, including the most lethal cardiac and respiratory manifestations and their molecular underpinnings, expand our understanding of the myotonic dystrophy phenotype. Advances have been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of both types of myotonic dystrophy, providing opportunities for developing targeted therapeutics, some of which have entered clinical trials in DM1.

SUMMARY

Continued efforts focus on advancing our molecular and clinical understanding of DM1 and DM2. Accurately measuring and monitoring the diverse and variable clinical manifestations of myotonic dystrophy in clinic and in research is important to provide adequate care, prevent complications, and find treatments that improve symptoms and life quality.

Impact of a 12-week strength training program on fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and apathy in men with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic neuromuscular disorder causing a plea of impairments, of which fatigue and apathy are some of the most frequent non-muscular symptoms. No curative treatment exists to date, and patients only have access to limited effective care, which are intended to decrease the burden of specific symptoms in daily life. Objective: This study aimed to assess whether a 12-week strength-training program has an impact on fatigue/daytime sleepiness, apathy, and patient-reported health in men with DM1. Methods: Eleven participants completed the Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness Scale (FDSS) and the Myotonic Dystrophy Health Index (MDHI) at baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks, and 6 and 9 months. Also, the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) was filled out at baseline, at 12 weeks, and 6 and 9 months. Results: Results show significant effects of the training program both on apathy and fatigue/daytime sleepiness, effects that are respectively greater at three and six months after the end of the program than at its very end. However, no difference was observed regarding the overall disease burden. Conclusion: These findings are promising for patients with DM1 considering that few non-pharmacological treatments are available.

Affective symptoms and apathy in myotonic dystrophy type 1 a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To gain insight into the prevalence of apathy, depression and anxiety symptoms in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients on the basis of a systematic review with a meta-analysis.

METHODS

One author systematically searched and selected studies from Embase, Medline, PsychInfo and Web of Science (index periods up to August 2018). Data extraction and bias assessment were performed independently by two authors. We calculated (1) a weighted pooled prevalence and (2) weighted pooled standardized mean difference (Hedges' g) from studies comparing DM1 patients to healthy and/or neuromuscular disease controls separately for symptoms of depression, anxiety and apathy.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalences of depression (26 studies, n = 1267 DM1 patients), anxiety (19 studies, n = 896) and apathy (5 studies, n = 428), were 18% (95%CI: 12-25), 16 (95%CI: 13-18) and 55% (95%CI: 50-60), respectively. Effect sizes (Hedges' g) for depression, anxiety and apathy in DM1 patients compared to healthy controls were 1.04 (95%-CI: 0.71 to 1.37), 0.87 (95%-CI: 0.51 to 1.24) and 1.13 (95%-CI:0.54-1.71). Effect sizes for symptoms of depression, anxiety and apathy were 0.29 (95% CI: -0.12 to 0.70), 0.45 (95%-CI: -0.31 to 1.22) and 1.12 (95%-CI: 0.32-1.93) for DM1 patients versus neuromuscular disease controls. In most analyses, statistical heterogeneity was high.

CONCLUSIONS

Estimated pooled prevalences of clinically significant levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety and apathy in DM1 are 19, 17 and 55% respectively. Symptoms of depression and anxiety in DM1 may reflect reactive adjustment to progressive impairment and restricted participation similar to other chronic neuromuscular disease. The literature on the prevalence and severity of apathy, although a clinically relevant and characteristic symptom of DM1, is relatively scarce.