Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD): Importance of Early Diagnosis and Referral
Released On
February 6, 2025
Expires On
February 6, 2026
Media Type
Internet
Completion Time
15 minutes
Specialty
Cardiology, Genetics, Neurology, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Pulmonology
Topics
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Pediatrics
This independent content was supported by an educational grant from Pfizer.
This module is not accredited.
Target Audience
This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of pediatric neurologists, primary care physicians, pediatricians, geneticists, genetic counselors, neuromuscular specialists, nurse practitioners, pulmonologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, orthopedists and physical therapists engaged in the care of patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
Program Overview
This activity will cover the essential steps for efficiently diagnosing Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), including how to identify primary signs and symptoms, initiate appropriate diagnostic tests, and discuss test results with patients and their families.
Learning Objectives
After participating in this program, you will be able to:
- Recognize potential signs and symptoms of DMD to avoid delays in referrals and treatment onset
- Describe the essential steps for efficiently diagnosing DMD
- Assess the obstacles to achieving a prompt diagnosis of DMD and propose effective strategies for overcoming them
- Describe how to discuss initial results and appropriate referral to specialist clinics
Faculty
Zoya Alhaswani
Consultant paediatrician with interest in neuromuscular disorders
Zoya Alhaswani is a consultant paediatrician with special interest in neuromuscular disorders. She works in the paediatric neuromuscular service in Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, which has been awarded a Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Neuromuscular care by MDUK.
She is passionate about education; and in particular increasing awareness of neuromuscular disorders diagnosis and management.
Laurent Servais
Professor of paediatrics neuromuscular diseases at the University of Oxford and part-time Professor at the University of Liege, Belgium
Laurent Servais, MD, PhD is professor of paediatrics neuromuscular diseases at the University of Oxford and part-time Professor at the University of Liege, Belgium. He graduated from the University of Louvain (Medicine) and Brussels (Paediatrics), and trained as a child neurologist in Robert Debré Hospital (Paris) and as a myologist in the Institute of Myology, in La Pitié Salpétrière (Paris). His main research interests cover innovative outcome measures and clinical trials design and newborn screening. He has been involved as PI in several clinical trials in spinal muscular atrophy, X-Myotubular Myopathy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and in leading the pioneering newborn screening program for spinal muscular atrophy newborn screening in Belgium.
Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest
Zoya Alhaswani
Consultant/Advisory Board: Roche, Santhera
Laurent Servais
Grants/research support: Roche, Biogen, Novartis, Sysnav, Zentech, Scholar Rock, BioHaven
Honoraria or consultation fees: Roche, Biogen-Novartis, Sysnav, Zentech, Scholar Rock, BioHaven, Pfizer, Sarepta, Dyne, Astellas, Cerebral Therapeutics, Illumina, Altana, Solid, Regenex Bio, Santhera, Italfarmaco
Instructions for Participation and Credit
There are no fees for participating in this enduring activity.
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
Faculty participating in any CME activity are required to disclose to the audience when discussing any unlabeled or investigational use of any commercial product or device not yet approved for use.
Disclaimer
This activity is designed for educational purposes. Participants have a responsibility to utilize this information to enhance their professional development to improve patient outcomes. Conclusions drawn by the participants should be derived from careful consideration of all available scientific information. The participant should use his/her clinical judgment, knowledge, experience, and diagnostic decision-making before applying any information, whether provided here or by others, for any professional use.
Contact Information
For questions, please contact: [email protected].