Efficacy and tolerance of gastrostomy feeding in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Clin Nutr. 2010 Feb;29(1):60-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2009.06.009. Epub 2009 Jul 15.

Abstract

Undernutrition occurs often in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Between 1997 and 2007, a gastrostomy was placed in 25 patients with DMD (median: 23 years old; range, 11-38 years) for weight loss (n=22) and/or swallowing disorders (n=13). We evaluated nutritional status using the weight-for-age (W/A) ratio, comparing the values to the reference curve for DMD patients. During the first 9 months, nutritional status improved: the W/A ratio increased and reached a plateau. The W/A ratio was 69% (range, 45-128%) at the start and increased to 87% (range, 49-164%) at the maximal follow-up of 22 months (P<0.001). However, the W/A ratio did not reach the median value for age. Complications occurred in 21 patients (84%), but caused no mortality. Our data suggest that gastrostomy is well tolerated by, and effective for improving the nutritional status of, individuals with DMD.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Enteral Nutrition / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • France
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / etiology
  • Gastrostomy / adverse effects
  • Gastrostomy / methods*
  • Gastrostomy / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / diet therapy*
  • Malnutrition / etiology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / complications*
  • Nutritional Status
  • Pneumoperitoneum / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thinness / diet therapy*
  • Thinness / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult