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Curry MA, Cruz RE, Belter LT, Schroth MK, Jarecki J. Assessment of Barriers to Referral and Appointment Wait Times for the Evaluation of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): Findings from a Web-Based Physician Survey. Neurol Ther 2024:10.1007/s40120-024-00587-9. [PMID: 38430355 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00587-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Clinical trial data suggest early diagnosis and treatment are critical. The purpose of this study was to evaluate neurology appointment wait times for newborn screening identified infants, pediatric cases mirroring SMA symptomatology, and cases in which SMA is suspected by the referring physician. Approaches for triaging and expediting referrals in the US were also explored. METHODS Cure SMA surveyed healthcare professionals from two cohorts: (1) providers affiliated with SMA care centers and (2) other neurologists, pediatric neurologists, and neuromuscular specialists. Surveys were distributed directly and via Medscape Education, respectively, between July 9, 2020, and August 31, 2020. RESULTS Three hundred five total responses were obtained (9% from SMA care centers and 91% from the general recruitment sample). Diagnostic journeys were shorter for infants eventually diagnosed with SMA Type 1 if they were referred to SMA care centers versus general sample practices. Appointment wait times for infants exhibiting "hypotonia and motor delays" were significantly shorter at SMA care centers compared to general recruitment practices (p = 0.004). Furthermore, infants with SMA identified through newborn screening were also more likely to be seen sooner if referred to a SMA care center versus a general recruitment site. Lastly, the majority of both cohorts triaged incoming referrals. The average wait time for infants presenting at SMA care centers with "hypotonia and motor delay" was significantly shorter when initial referrals were triaged using a set of "key emergency words" (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS Infants directly referred to a SMA care center versus a general sample practice were more likely to experience shorter SMA diagnostic journeys and appointment wait times. Triage guidelines for referrals specific to "hypotonia and motor delay" including use of "key emergency words" may shorten wait times and support early diagnosis and treatment of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary A Curry
- Cure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA.
| | | | - Lisa T Belter
- Cure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA
| | - Mary K Schroth
- Cure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA
| | - Jill Jarecki
- Cure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA
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Aponte Ribero V, Martí Y, Batson S, Mitchell S, Gorni K, Gusset N, Oskoui M, Servais L, Sutherland CS. Systematic Literature Review of the Natural History of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Motor Function, Scoliosis, and Contractures. Neurology 2023; 101:e2103-e2113. [PMID: 37813581 PMCID: PMC10663020 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive neuromuscular disorder associated with continuous motor function loss and complications, such as scoliosis and contractures. Understanding the natural history of SMA is key to demonstrating the long-term outcomes of SMA treatments. This study reviews the natural history of motor function, scoliosis, and contractures in patients with SMA. METHODS Electronic databases were searched from inception to June 27, 2022 (Embase, MEDLINE, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews). Observational studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and case series reporting on motor function (i.e., sitting, standing, and walking ability), scoliosis, and contracture outcomes in patients with types 1-3 SMA were included. Data on study design, baseline characteristics, and treatment outcomes were extracted. Data sets were generated from studies that reported Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves and pooled to generate overall KM curves. RESULTS Ninety-three publications were included, of which 68 reported on motor function. Of these, 10 reported KM curves (3 on the probability of sitting in patients with types 2 and 3 SMA and 8 on the probability of walking/ambulation in patients with type 3 SMA). The median time to loss of sitting (95% CI) was 14.5 years (14.1-31.5) for the type 2 SMA sitter population (their maximum ability was independent sitting). The median time to loss of ambulation (95% CI) was 13.4 years (12.5-14.5) for type 3a SMA (disease onset at age younger than 3 years) and 44.2 years (43.0-49.4) for type 3b SMA (disease onset at age 3 years or older). Studies including scoliosis and contracture outcomes mostly reported non-time-to-event data. DISCUSSION The results demonstrate that a high degree of motor function loss is inevitable, affecting patients of all ages. In addition, data suggest that untreated patients with types 2 and 3 SMA remain at risk of losing motor milestones during late adulthood, and patients with types 3a and 3b SMA are at risk of loss of ambulation over time. These findings support the importance of stabilization of motor function development even at older ages. Natural history data are key for the evaluation of SMA treatments as they contextualize the assessment of long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Aponte Ribero
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Yasmina Martí
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Sarah Batson
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Stephen Mitchell
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Ksenija Gorni
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicole Gusset
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Maryam Oskoui
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Laurent Servais
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium
| | - C Simone Sutherland
- From F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (V.A.R., Y.M., K.G., C.S.S.), Basel, Switzerland; Mtech Access Limited (S.B., S.M.), Bicester, United Kingdom; SMA Europe (N.G.), Freiburg, Germany; SMA Schweiz (N.G.), Heimberg, Switzerland; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology Neurosurgery (M.O.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre (L.S.), Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; and Division of Child Neurology (L.S.), Centre de Rèfèrences des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège and University of Liège, Belgium.
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Angilletta I, Ferrante R, Giansante R, Lombardi L, Babore A, Dell’Elice A, Alessandrelli E, Notarangelo S, Ranaudo M, Palmarini C, De Laurenzi V, Stuppia L, Rossi C. Spinal Muscular Atrophy: An Evolving Scenario through New Perspectives in Diagnosis and Advances in Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14873. [PMID: 37834320 PMCID: PMC10573646 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) linked to 5q is a recessive motor neuron disease characterized by progressive and diffuse weakness and muscular atrophy. SMA is the most common neurodegenerative disease in childhood with an incidence of approximately 1 in 6000-10,000 live births, being long considered a leading cause of hereditary mortality in infancy, worldwide. The classification of SMA is based on the natural history of the disease, with a wide clinical spectrum of onset and severity. We are currently in a new therapeutic era, that, thanks to the widespread use of the newly approved disease-modifying therapies and the possibility of an early administration, should lead to a deep change in the clinical scenario and, thus, in the history of SMA. With the aim to achieve a new view of SMA, in this review we consider different aspects of this neuromuscular disease: the historical perspective, the clinical features, the diagnostic process, the psychological outcome, innovation in treatments and therapies, the possibility of an early identification of affected infants in the pre-symptomatic phase through newborn screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Angilletta
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Rossella Ferrante
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Roberta Giansante
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Lucia Lombardi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessandra Babore
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territory Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Anastasia Dell’Elice
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Elisa Alessandrelli
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Stefania Notarangelo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Marianna Ranaudo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Claudia Palmarini
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Vincenzo De Laurenzi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territory Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Claudia Rossi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (I.A.); (R.F.); (R.G.); (L.L.); (A.D.); (E.A.); (S.N.); (M.R.); (C.P.); (V.D.L.); (L.S.)
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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Shell RD, McGrattan KE, Hurst-Davis R, Young SD, Baranello G, Lavrov A, O'Brien E, Wallach S, LaMarca N, Reyna SP, Darras BT. Onasemnogene abeparvovec preserves bulbar function in infants with presymptomatic spinal muscular atrophy: a post-hoc analysis of the SPR1NT trial. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:670-676. [PMID: 37455203 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Bulbar function in spinal muscular atrophy has been defined as the ability to meet nutritional needs by mouth while maintaining airway protection and communicate verbally. The effects of disease-modifying treatment on bulbar function are not clear. A multidisciplinary team conducted post-hoc analyses of phase 3 SPR1NT trial data to evaluate bulbar function of infants at risk for spinal muscular atrophy who received one-time gene replacement therapy (onasemnogene abeparvovec) before symptom onset. Three endpoints represented adequate bulbar function in SPR1NT: (1) absence of physiologic swallowing impairment, (2) full oral nutrition, and (3) absence of adverse events indicating pulmonary instability. Communication was not assessed in SPR1NT. We descriptively assessed numbers/percentages of children who achieved each endpoint and all three collectively. SPR1NT included infants <6 postnatal weeks with two (n = 14) or three (n = 15) copies of the survival motor neuron 2 gene. At study end (18 [two-copy cohort] or 24 [three-copy cohort] months of age), 100% (29/29) of patients swallowed normally, achieved full oral nutrition, maintained pulmonary stability, and achieved the composite endpoint. When administered to infants before clinical symptom onset, onasemnogene abeparvovec allowed children at risk for spinal muscular atrophy to achieve milestones within published normal ranges of development and preserve bulbar function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Shell
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Giovanni Baranello
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Developmental Neuroscience Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre & Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Krupa D, Czech M, Chudzyńska E, Koń B, Kostera-Pruszczyk A. Real World Evidence on the Effectiveness of Nusinersen within the National Program to Treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Poland. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11101515. [PMID: 37239800 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11101515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a debilitating neuromuscular disease resulting in children's mortality and disability. Nusinersen is available to all SMA patients in Poland since 2019. AIM To compare mortality or disease progression to mechanical ventilation in two patient cohorts before and after the program's introduction. Additionally, to describe the patient population treated with nusinersen and costs incurred by the public payer. METHODS We used the National Health Fund (NHF) database to identify patients born in either 2014 or 2019, who received at least two health services with an ICD10 G12 diagnosis. Outcomes were time to event: death or first mechanical ventilation. We identified all benefits received by nusinersen-treated patients, between 1 January 2019 and 31 May 2022. RESULTS Children with SMA born in 2019 had significantly lower mortality in the first years of their lives than children born in 2014. Approximately 875 patients (all age groups) were treated with nusinersen in the analysis period. The cost of causal drugs in this period amounted to €51.4 million. The cost of healthcare benefits amounted to €14.9 million. CONCLUSIONS The drug program to treat SMA improved patient care in Poland. The NHF database was a reliable source to monitor resource-intensive therapies' costs, demography, and selected patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Krupa
- Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw, 02-678 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Czech
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Chudzyńska
- Department of Analysis and Innovation, National Health Fund, 02-528 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Koń
- Department of Analysis and Innovation, National Health Fund, 02-528 Warsaw, Poland
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Landfeldt E, Abner S, Pechmann A, Sejersen T, McMillan HJ, Lochmüller H, Kirschner J. Caregiver Burden of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Systematic Review. Pharmacoeconomics 2023; 41:275-293. [PMID: 36515815 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-022-01197-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to review, synthesize, and grade published evidence of caregiver burden of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare autosomal-recessive neuromuscular disease. METHODS We searched Embase and PubMed for full-text articles published from inception up until 28 February, 2022, reporting results from studies of caregiver burden (i.e., negative aspects of providing informal care) in SMA. Two investigators independently screened article titles and abstracts for eligibility, reviewed full-text versions of selected records, extracted the data, and assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The evidence was synthesized to answer the following questions: (1) In which geographical settings have the caregiver burden of SMA been studied? (2) What aspects of the caregiver burden of SMA have been investigated? (3) What instruments have been used to measure the caregiver burden of SMA? (4) What is known of the caregiver burden of SMA? (5) How is the caregiver burden of SMA impacted by available disease-modifying drugs? RESULTS We identified 15 publications, covering samples from a total of ten countries (i.e., Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the USA), reporting estimates of caregiver burden derived using data recorded via surveys or interviews. The most common instruments used to measure caregiver burden were the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, the EQ-5D-5L, and the PedsQL Family Impact Model. Caregiving in SMA was found to be associated with reduced health-related quality of life, impaired family function, depression and anxiety, strain, and stress, as well as a substantial impact on work life and productivity. Evidence of the impact of disease-modifying drugs on caregiver burden in SMA was scarce. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers to patients with SMA were found to be subject to a significant burden, including impaired health-related quality of life, reduced work ability and productivity, and financial stress, and many devote a substantial proportion of their time to provide informal care. Yet, the current body of literature is relatively scarce and more research is needed to better understand the clinical implications of informal caregiving in SMA and the relationship between caregiver burden and SMA types, as well as the impact of new disease-modifying treatments. Our synthesis will be helpful in informing clinical and social support programs (e.g., the routine screening of depression among caregivers, as well as financial support schemes to help manage the long-term day-to-day care) directed towards families caring for patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Landfeldt
- IQVIA, Pyramidvägen 7, 169 56, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Astrid Pechmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Sejersen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Astrid Lindgren Children´s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugh J McMillan
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Leibrock B, Landfeldt E, Hussong J, Huelle T, Mattheus H, Thiele S, Walter MC, Zemlin M, Moehler E, Dillman U, Abner S, Flotats-Bastardas M. Areas of improvement in the medical care of SMA: evidence from a nationwide patient registry in Germany. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:32. [PMID: 36810103 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02639-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management and treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has changed in recent years due to the introduction of novel transformative and potentially curative therapies resulting in the emergence of new disease phenotypes. Yet, little is known about the uptake and impact of these therapies in real-world clinical practice. The objective of this study was to describe current motor function, need of assistive devices, and therapeutic and supportive interventions provided by the healthcare system, as well as the socioeconomic situation of children and adults with different SMA phenotypes in Germany. We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study of German patients with genetically confirmed SMA identified and recruited via a nationwide SMA patient registry ( www.sma-register.de ) within the TREAT-NMD network. Study data was recorded directly from patient-caregiver pairs through a study questionnaire administered online via a dedicated study website. RESULTS The final study cohort consisted of 107 patients with SMA. Of these, 24 were children and 83 adults. In total, about 78% of all participants were taking medication for SMA (predominantly nusinersen and risdiplam). All children with SMA1 were able to sit and 27% of children with SMA2 were able to stand or walk. Impaired upper limb function, scoliosis and bulbar dysfunction were observed more frequently in patients with reduced lower limb performance. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, as well as the use of cough assists were less common than indicated by care guidelines. Family planning and educational and employment status appear to be related to motor skill impairment. CONCLUSIONS We show that the natural history of disease has changed in Germany following improvements in SMA care and the introduction of novel therapies. Yet, a non-trivial proportion of patients remain untreated. We also identified considerable limitations in rehabilitation and respiratory care, as well as low labour-market participation among adults with SMA, calling for action to improve the current situation.
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8
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Mansouri V, Heidari M, Bemanalizadeh M, Azizimalamiri R, Nafissi S, Akbari MG, Barzegar M, Moayedi AR, Badv RS, Mohamadi M, Tavasoli AR, Amirsalari S, Khajeh A, Inaloo S, Fatehi F, Hosseinpour S, Babaei M, Hosseini SA, Mahdi Hosseiny SM, Fayyazi A, Hosseini F, Toosi MB, Khosroshahi N, Ghabeli H, Biglari HN, Kakhki SK, Mirlohi SH, Bidabadi E, Mohammadi B, Omrani A, Sedighi M, Vafaee-Shahi M, Rasulinezhad M, Hoseini SM, Movahedinia M, Rezaei Z, Karimi P, Farshadmoghadam H, Anvari S, Yaghini O, Nasiri J, Zamani G, Ashrafi MR. The First Report of Iranian Registry of Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:211-225. [PMID: 36776076 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insufficient amounts of survival motor neuron protein is leading to one of the most disabling neuromuscular diseases, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Before the current study, the detailed characteristics of Iranian patients with SMA had not been determined. OBJECTIVE To describe the key demographic, clinical, and genetic characteristics of patients with SMA registered in the Iranian Registry of SMA (IRSMA). METHODS IRSMA has been established since 2018, and the demographic, clinical, and genetic characteristics of patients with SMA were recorded according to the methods of treat neuromuscular disease (TREAT-NMD) project. RESULTS By October 1, 2022, 781 patients with 5q SMA were registered. Of them, 164 patients died, the majority of them had SMA type 1 and died during the first 20 months of life. The median survival of patients with type 1 SMA was 23 months. The consanguinity rate in 617 alive patients was 52.4%, while merely 24.8% of them had a positive family history. The most common type of SMA in live patients was type 3. Morbidities were defined as having scoliosis (44.1%), wheelchair dependency (36.8%), tube feeding (8.1%), and requiring mechanical ventilation (9.9%). Most of the registered patients had a homozygous deletion of SMN1, while the frequency of patients with higher copy numbers of SMN2, was less in more severe types of the disease. Earlier onset of the disease was significantly seen in patients with lower copy numbers of SMN2. The neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene deletion was associated with a higher incidence of more severe types of SMA, higher dependency on ventilators, tube feeding, and earlier onset of the disease. CONCLUSIONS The IRSMA is the first established Iranian nationwide registry of patients with SMA. Using this registry, decision-makers, researchers, and practitioners can precisely understand the epidemiology, characteristics, and genetics of patients with SMA in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Mansouri
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Heidari
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Bemanalizadeh
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Reza Azizimalamiri
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Golestan, Medical, Educational, and Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Shahriar Nafissi
- Neurology Department, Shariati Hospital, Iranian Neuromuscular Research Center (INMRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masood Ghahvechi Akbari
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Barzegar
- Pediatric Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Moayedi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Reza Shervin Badv
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Mohamadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Tavasoli
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Susan Amirsalari
- New Hearing Technologies Research Center, Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khajeh
- Department of Pediatrics, Children and Adolescent Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Soroor Inaloo
- Neonatal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Neurology Department, Shariati Hospital, Iranian Neuromuscular Research Center (INMRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sareh Hosseinpour
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meisam Babaei
- Department of Pediatrics, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Seyed Ahmad Hosseini
- Department of Pediatrics, Taleghani Children's Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Afshin Fayyazi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Firoozeh Hosseini
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mehran Beiraghi Toosi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nahid Khosroshahi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Bahrami Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Ghabeli
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Habibeh Nejad Biglari
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Simin Khayatzadeh Kakhki
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Bahrami Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Mirlohi
- Pediatric respiratory and sleep medicine research center, children's medical center, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Bahram Mohammadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Omrani
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mostafa Sedighi
- Department of Neurology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Rasulinezhad
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Mohamad Hoseini
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Movahedinia
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Zahra Rezaei
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Karimi
- Department of Pediatric Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Hossein Farshadmoghadam
- Department of Pediatrics, Children Growth Research Centre, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Saeed Anvari
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Milad Hospital, Social Security Organisation, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Yaghini
- Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Jafar Nasiri
- Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Zamani
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Ashrafi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center (PCGTRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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9
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McGrattan KE, Shell RD, Hurst-Davis R, Young SD, O’Brien E, Lavrov A, Wallach S, LaMarca N, Reyna SP, Darras BT. Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 Achieve and Maintain Bulbar Function Following Onasemnogene Abeparvovec Treatment. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:531-540. [PMID: 37092232 PMCID: PMC10357176 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improvement and maintenance of bulbar function are goals of disease-modifying treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Lack of standardized measures and a widely accepted definition of bulbar function represents a gap in SMA care. OBJECTIVE A multidisciplinary team conducted post-hoc analyses of pooled data from one phase 1 (START) and two phase 3 (STR1VE-US, STR1VE-EU) studies to define and evaluate bulbar function of infants with SMA type 1 after receiving one-time gene replacement therapy, onasemnogene abeparvovec. METHODS We defined bulbar function as the ability to meet nutritional needs while maintaining airway protection and the ability to communicate verbally. Four endpoints represented adequate bulbar function: (1) absence of clinician-identified physiologic swallowing impairment, (2) receiving full oral nutrition, (3) absence of adverse events indicating pulmonary instability, and (4) the ability to vocalize at least two different, distinct vowel sounds. We descriptively assessed numbers/percentages of patients who achieved each endpoint and all four collectively. Patients were followed until 18 months old (STR1VE-US and STR1VE-EU) or 24 months (START) post-infusion. RESULTS Overall, 65 patients were analyzed for swallowing, nutrition intake, and adverse events, and 20 were analyzed for communication. At study end, 92% (60/65) of patients had a normal swallow, 75% (49/65) achieved full oral nutrition, 92% (60/65) had no evidence of pulmonary instability, 95% (19/20) met the communication endpoint, and 75% (15/20) achieved all four bulbar function components in the composite endpoint. CONCLUSIONS In these three clinical trials, patients with SMA type 1 who received onasemnogene abeparvovec achieved and maintained the bulbar function criteria utilized within this investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard D. Shell
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Basil T. Darras
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Muni-Lofra R, Murphy LB, Adcock K, Farrugia ME, Irwin J, Lilleker JB, McConville J, Merrison A, Parton M, Ryburn L, Scoto M, Marini-Bettolo C, Mayhew A. Real-World Data on Access to Standards of Care for People With Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the UK. Front Neurol 2022; 13:866243. [PMID: 35707038 PMCID: PMC9190261 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.866243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is characterized by muscle atrophy and weakness and has an incidence of 1:11. 000 live births which projects an estimated population in the UK of 650-1,300 affected patients. Standards of Care (SoC) were updated in 2017 and they have been widely adopted as a reference for implementation of care in SMA across the globe. The effectiveness of implementation and adherence to these standards across different countries is unclear. The aim of this study is to describe the experience of individuals with SMA regarding their care in the UK. An online anonymised survey was sent out via patient organizations, the UK SMA Patient Registry, professional networks, and social media to reach across the UK. The survey captured demographic profile, professionals involved in a patient's care, Interventions and access to mobility aids and home adaptations. Participants responded about their access to services and to rate how important each professional and intervention was for their health and wellbeing. One hundred and twenty-eight responses were collected with a median age of 34 years (1-81). Seventy-three percent of participants were adults and 60% men. Overall good access to neurologist (>90%) but limited to nurse specialist (48%) and physiotherapist (57%). Good access to respiratory support was reported but limited for interventions for positioning and bracing and exercise. This survey highlights that access to certain professionals for people with SMA is limited in the UK. Striking differences were noted between pediatric and adult populations. Limited access to care were regularly reported, with half of the study population consistently not accessing full multidisciplinary care. Access to interventions for contracture management were recorded to have significant limitations. Mobility aids and home adaptations are widely available and were also reported as the most valued interventions. Access to nutritional support or speech and language therapy appears only to be available for a small proportion of the participants. Access to respiratory care was good especially in severe forms of SMA. We found pockets of good practice in the UK that align with the SoC. However, access is not equal for adults and children and access to certain professionals is significantly limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Muni-Lofra
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Department of Physical Therapy, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lindsay B Murphy
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Adcock
- Muscular Dystrophy UK, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria E Farrugia
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - James B Lilleker
- Manchester Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, UK and Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andria Merrison
- Bristol Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Parton
- Queen Square Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Liz Ryburn
- SMAUK, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
| | - Mariacristina Scoto
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Marini-Bettolo
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Mayhew
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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11
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McMillan HJ, Proud CM, Farrar MA, Alexander IE, Muntoni F, Servais L. Onasemnogene abeparvovec for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2022; 22:1075-1090. [PMID: 35437095 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2066471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) represents a significant milestone in the treatment of neurologic diseases. SMA is a neurodegenerative disease that results in motor neuron loss because of mutations of the survival motor neuron 1 gene, which directs survival motor neuron (SMN) protein production. Onasemnogene abeparvovec, a one-time gene replacement therapy, delivers a functional transgene to restore SMN protein expression. Onasemnogene abeparvovec has demonstrated improved survival and motor milestone achievements for presymptomatic infants and patients with SMA type 1. AREAS COVERED This expert review describes the current state of gene therapy for SMA, reviews the mechanism of and clinical experience with onasemnogene abeparvovec, explains future efforts to expand applications of gene therapy for SMA, and provides context for developing gene therapy for other conditions. EXPERT OPINION Onasemnogene abeparvovec has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials and, because of this, is a valuable treatment option for patients with symptomatic infantile SMA and those identified by newborn screening. Gene therapy is still in its infancy, and challenges and uncertainties associated with transgene delivery must be addressed. With ongoing development of vector technology, more specific tissue tropism, reduced "off-target" effects, and an enhanced safety profile will continue to evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh J McMillan
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Crystal M Proud
- Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney.,Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health London, UK.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, & Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, UK
| | - Laurent Servais
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège & Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.,MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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12
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Dominguez CE, Cunningham D, Venkataramany AS, Chandler DS. Heat increases full-length SMN splicing: promise for splice-augmenting therapies for SMA. Hum Genet 2022; 141:239-256. [PMID: 35088120 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02408-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a debilitating neurodegenerative pediatric disease characterized by low levels of the survival motor protein (SMN). Humans have two SMN genes that produce identical SMN proteins, but they differ at a key nucleotide in exon 7 that induces differential mRNA splicing. SMN1 primarily produces full-length SMN protein, but due to the spliceosome's inability to efficiently recognize exon 7, SMN2 transcripts are often truncated. SMA occurs primarily through mutations or deletions in the SMN1 gene; therefore, current therapies use antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to target exon 7 inclusion in SMN2 mRNA and promote full-length SMN protein production. Here, we explore additional methods that can target SMN splicing and therapeutically increase full-length SMN protein. We demonstrate that in vitro heat treatment of cells increases exon 7 inclusion and relative abundance of full-length SMN2 mRNA and protein, a response that is modulated through the upregulation of the positive splicing factor TRA2 beta. We also observe that HSP90, but not HSP40 or HSP70, in the heat shock response is essential for SMN2 exon 7 splicing under hyperthermic conditions. Finally, we show that pulsatile heat treatments for one hour in vitro and in vivo are effective in increasing full-length SMN2 levels. These findings suggest that timed interval treatments could be a therapeutic alternative for SMA patients who do not respond to current ASO-based therapies or require a unique combination regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Dominguez
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - David Cunningham
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Akila S Venkataramany
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dawn S Chandler
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. .,Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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13
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Baranello G, Gorni K, Daigl M, Kotzeva A, Evans R, Hawkins N, Scott DA, Mahajan A, Muntoni F, Servais L. Prognostic Factors and Treatment-Effect Modifiers in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021; 110:1435-1454. [PMID: 33792051 PMCID: PMC9292571 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by loss of motor neurons and muscle atrophy. Untreated infants with type 1 SMA do not achieve major motor milestones, and death from respiratory failure typically occurs before 2 years of age. Individuals with types 2 and 3 SMA exhibit milder phenotypes and have better functional and survival outcomes. Herein, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify factors that influence the prognosis of types 1, 2, and 3 SMA. In untreated infants with type 1 SMA, absence of symptoms at birth, a later symptom onset, and a higher survival of motor neuron 2 (SMN2) copy number are all associated with increased survival. Disease duration, age at treatment initiation, and, to a lesser extent, baseline function were identified as potential treatment‐modifying factors for survival, emphasizing that early treatment with disease‐modifying therapies (DMT) is essential in type 1 SMA. In patients with types 2 and 3 SMA, factors considered prognostic of changes in motor function were SMN2 copy number, age, and ambulatory status. Individuals aged 6–15 years were particularly vulnerable to developing complications (scoliosis and progressive joint contractures) which negatively influence functional outcomes and may also affect the therapeutic response in patients. Age at the time of treatment initiation emerged as a treatment‐effect modifier on the outcome of DMTs. Factors identified in this review should be considered prior to designing or analyzing studies in an SMA population, conducting population matching, or summarizing results from different studies on the treatments for SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Baranello
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.,Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University College of London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Trust, London, UK
| | - Laurent Servais
- Division of Child Neurology Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Régional de Références des Maladies Neuromusculaires, University Hospital Liège & University of La Citadelle, Liège, Belgium.,Department of Paediatrics, Muscular Dystrophy UK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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14
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Lusakowska A, Jedrzejowska M, Kaminska A, Janiszewska K, Grochowski P, Zimowski J, Sierdzinski J, Kostera-Pruszczyk A. Observation of the natural course of type 3 spinal muscular atrophy: data from the polish registry of spinal muscular atrophy. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:150. [PMID: 33761963 PMCID: PMC7992780 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01771-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most frequent and severe genetic diseases leading to premature death or severe motor disability. New therapies have been developed in recent years that change the natural history of the disease. The aim of this study is to describe patients included in the Polish Registry of SMA, with a focus on the course of type 3 SMA (SMA3) before the availability of disease-modifying treatments. RESULTS 790 patients with SMA were included in the registry (173 with type 1 [SMA1], 218 with type 2 [SMA2], 393 with SMA3, and six with type 4 SMA [SMA4]), most (52%) of whom were adults. Data on SMN2 gene copy number were available for 672 (85%) patients. The mean age of onset was 5 months for SMA1, 11.5 months for SMA2, and 4.5 years for SMA3. In patients with SMA3, the first symptoms occurred earlier in those with three copies of SMN2 than in those with four copies of SMN2 (3.2 years vs. 6.7 years). The age of onset of SMA3 was younger in girls than in boys (3.1 years vs. 5.7 years), with no new cases observed in women older than 16 years. Male patients outnumbered female patients, especially among patients with SMA3b (49 female vs. 85 male patients) and among patients with SMA3 with four copies of SMN2 (30 female vs. 69 male patients). 44% of patients with SMA3 were still able to walk; in those who were not still able to walk, the mean age of immobilization was 14.0 years. Patients with SMA3a (age of onset < 3 years) and three copies of SMN2 had significantly worse prognosis for remaining ambulant than patients with SMA3b (age of onset ≥ 3 years) and four copies of SMN2. CONCLUSIONS The Registry of SMA is an effective tool for assessing the disease course in the real world setting. SMN2 copy number is an important prognostic factor for the age of onset and ambulation in SMA3. Sex and age of disease onset also strongly affect the course of SMA. Data supplied by this study can aid treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lusakowska
- Department of Neurology, European Reference Network EURO-NMD, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Jedrzejowska
- Rare Diseases Research Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Kaminska
- Department of Neurology, European Reference Network EURO-NMD, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Janiszewska
- Department of Neurology, European Reference Network EURO-NMD, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Przemysław Grochowski
- Student Research Group of Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Zimowski
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Sierdzinski
- Department of Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Kostera-Pruszczyk
- Department of Neurology, European Reference Network EURO-NMD, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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15
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van der Heul AMB, Cuppen I, Wadman RI, Asselman F, Schoenmakers MAGC, van de Woude DR, Gerrits E, van der Pol WL, van den Engel-Hoek L. Feeding and Swallowing Problems in Infants with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1: an Observational Study. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 7:323-330. [PMID: 32333596 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infantile hereditary proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 is characterized by onset in the first 6 months of life and severe and progressive muscle weakness. Dysphagia is a common complication but has not been studied in detail. OBJECTIVE To study feeding and swallowing problems in infants with SMA type 1, and to explore the relation between these problems and functional motor scores. METHODS We prospectively included 16 infants with SMA type 1 between September 2016 and October 2018. Eleven infants received palliative care and five infants best supportive care in combination with nusinersen. We compiled and used an observation list with feeding related issues and observed feeding sessions during inpatient and outpatient visits. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP INTEND) was used as a measure of motor function. RESULTS All infants in the palliative care group (median onset of disease 14 days (range 1-56); median inclusion in the study 52 days (range 16-252) demonstrated symptoms of fatigue during feeding and unsafe swallowing. Symptoms were short nursing sessions (10-15 minutes), and not being able to finish the recommended feeding volumes (72%); increased frequency of feeding sessions (55%); coughing when drinking or eating (91%), and wet breathing during and after feeding (64%).Two out of five infants in the nusinersen group (median onset of disease 38 days (range 21-90); inclusion in the study at 63 days (range 3-218) were clinically pre-symptomatic at the start of treatment. The other three infants showed symptoms of fatigue and unsafe swallowing at inclusion in the study. These symptoms initially decreased after the start of the treatment, but (re)appeared in all five infants between the ages of 8 to 12 months, requiring the start tube of feeding. In the same period motor function scores significantly improved (median increase CHOP INTEND 16 points). CONCLUSION Impaired feeding and swallowing remain important complications in infants with SMA type 1 after the start of nusinersen. Improvement of motor function does not imply similar gains in bulbar function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M B van der Heul
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - I Cuppen
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - R I Wadman
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - F Asselman
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M A G C Schoenmakers
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - D R van de Woude
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - E Gerrits
- Department of Language, University Utrecht, Utrecht Institute of Linguistics OTS, Literature and Communication, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - W L van der Pol
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - L van den Engel-Hoek
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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16
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Wadman RI, De Amicis R, Brusa C, Battezzati A, Bertoli S, Davis T, Main M, Manzur A, Mastella C, Munot P, Imbrigiotta N, Schottlaender L, Sarkozy A, Trucco F, Baranello G, Scoto M, Muntoni F. Feeding difficulties in children and adolescents with spinal muscular atrophy type 2. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:101-12. [PMID: 33454188 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Disease course of feeding difficulties in spinal muscular atrophy type 2 is not well documented. Disease-modifying therapies rapidly change the trajectory of motor function and survival in spinal muscular atrophy, but effects on co-morbidities like bulbar function are unknown. We analysed data concerning feeding problems and their standard of care treatment in 146 patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 2. Data were collected from two separate cohorts: one single-centre retrospective chart review study from the United Kingdom (London), and one prospective questionnaire-based multicentre study from Italy. Cumulatively feeding difficulties were present in 88 patients (60%) in these 2 cohorts. Median age at onset of problems was 6.5years (range 0-16.5 years). Eighty-two patients (60%) showed periods of underweight according to age adjusted body mass index, and thirty-six patients (25%) showed malnourishment with a significant drop on their weight curves. Enteral feeding was indicated in 23 out of 72 patients in the UK cohort (32%) because of weight loss, oropharyngeal dysphagia or aspiration. Gastrostomy and its placement was generally well tolerated, uncomplicated in 96%, never reversed and performed without Nissen fundoplication in 66% of patients. After gastrostomy chest infections improved in 80% and nutritional status (e.g., Body Mass Index) in 84% of patients. These results show that feeding difficulties are a common problem in spinal muscular atrophy type 2. Treatment strategies should be tailor-made on the symptoms and needs of the individual patient.
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17
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Hodgkinson V, Lounsberry J, M'Dahoma S, Russell A, Jewett G, Benstead T, Brais B, Campbell C, Johnston W, Lochmüller H, McCormick A, Nguyen CT, O'Ferrall E, Oskoui M, Abrahao A, Briemberg H, Bourque PR, Botez S, Cashman N, Chapman K, Chrestian N, Crone M, Dobrowolski P, Dojeiji S, Dowling JJ, Dupré N, Genge A, Gonorazky H, Grant I, Hasal S, Izenberg A, Kalra S, Katzberg H, Krieger C, Leung E, Linassi G, Mackenzie A, Mah JK, Marrero A, Massie R, Matte G, McAdam L, McMillan H, Melanson M, Mezei MM, O'Connell C, Pfeffer G, Phan C, Plamondon S, Poulin C, Rodrigue X, Schellenberg K, Selby K, Sheriko J, Shoesmith C, Smith RG, Taillon M, Taylor S, Venance S, Warman-Chardon J, Worley S, Zinman L, Korngut L. The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry 2010-2019: A Decade of Facilitating Clinical Research Througha Nationwide, Pan-NeuromuscularDisease Registry. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:53-61. [PMID: 32925088 PMCID: PMC7902956 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-200538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We report the recruitment activities and outcomes of a multi-disease neuromuscular patient registry in Canada. The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) registers individuals across Canada with a confirmed diagnosis of a neuromuscular disease. Diagnosis and contact information are collected across all diseases and detailed prospective data is collected for 5 specific diseases: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Myotonic Dystrophy (DM), Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Since 2010, the CNDR has registered 4306 patients (1154 pediatric and 3148 adult) with 91 different neuromuscular diagnoses and has facilitated 125 projects (73 academic, 3 not-for-profit, 3 government, and 46 commercial) using registry data. In conclusion, the CNDR is an effective and productive pan-neuromuscular registry that has successfully facilitated a substantial number of studies over the past 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Hodgkinson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - J Lounsberry
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - S M'Dahoma
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - A Russell
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - G Jewett
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - T Benstead
- Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - B Brais
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - C Campbell
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Canada
| | - W Johnston
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - H Lochmüller
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - A McCormick
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - C T Nguyen
- CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - E O'Ferrall
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - M Oskoui
- Department of Neurosciences, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.,Departments of Pediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - A Abrahao
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - H Briemberg
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - P R Bourque
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - S Botez
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - N Cashman
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - K Chapman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - N Chrestian
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada, Neuroscience axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval
| | - M Crone
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - P Dobrowolski
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - S Dojeiji
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - J J Dowling
- Department of Pediatrics, Sick Kids Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - N Dupré
- Department of Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Canada
| | - A Genge
- Department of Neurosciences, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - H Gonorazky
- Department of Pediatrics, Sick Kids Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - I Grant
- Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - S Hasal
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - A Izenberg
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - S Kalra
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - H Katzberg
- University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - C Krieger
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - E Leung
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - G Linassi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - A Mackenzie
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - J K Mah
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - A Marrero
- CHU Dr. Georges-L-Dumont, Université de Sherbrooke, Moncton, Canada
| | - R Massie
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - G Matte
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - L McAdam
- Department of Pediatrics, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Bloorview Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - H McMillan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - M Melanson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - M M Mezei
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - C O'Connell
- Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, Fredericton, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - G Pfeffer
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, and Alberta Child Health Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - C Phan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - S Plamondon
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - C Poulin
- Departments of Pediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - X Rodrigue
- Department of Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Canada
| | - K Schellenberg
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - K Selby
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, University of Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
| | - J Sheriko
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - C Shoesmith
- Division of Neurology, Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - R G Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, KidsInclusive Centre for Child & Youth Development, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - M Taillon
- Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, Fredericton, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - S Taylor
- Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - S Venance
- Division of Neurology, Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - J Warman-Chardon
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - S Worley
- Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, Fredericton, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - L Zinman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - L Korngut
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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18
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Ou SF, Ho CS, Lee WT, Lin KL, Jones CC, Jong YJ. Natural history in spinal muscular atrophy Type I in Taiwanese population: A longitudinal study. Brain Dev 2021; 43:127-134. [PMID: 32878721 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by a defect in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. The Cooperative Study of the natural history of SMA Type I in Taiwan is a retrospective, longitudinal, observational study that helps in further understanding SMA disease progression in patients who have not received disease-modifying therapeutic interventions. METHODS Case report forms were used to collect demographics; genetic confirmation; SMN2 copy number; treatment patterns; and clinical outcomes including ventilator use, endotracheal tube intubation, tracheostomy, gastrostomy, complications, and survival. RESULTS A total of 111 patients with SMA Type I were identified over the study period (1979-2015). Mean (median) age of onset and age at confirmed diagnosis were 1.3 (0.8) and 4.9 (4.4) months, respectively. SMN1 deletion/mutation was documented in 70 patients and SMN2 copy number in 32 (2 copies, n = 20; 3 copies, n = 12). At 240 months, survival probability for patients born during 1995-2015 versus 1979-1994 was significantly longer (p = 0.0057). Patients with 3 SMN2 copies showed substantially longer 240-month survival versus patients with 2 SMN2 copies. Over the 36-year period, mean (median) age at death was 31.9 (8.8) months. As of December 2015, 95 patients had died, 13 were alive, and 3 were lost to follow-up. The use of supportive measures (tracheostomy and gastrostomy) was associated with improved survival. CONCLUSIONS These data describe the short survival of patients with SMA Type I in Taiwan in the pretreatment era, emphasizing the positive impact of supportive measures on survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Fu Ou
- Department of Pediatrics, Antai Medical Care Cooperation Antai Tian-Sheng Memorial Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Che-Sheng Ho
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Tso Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Lin Lin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cynthia C Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, Global Analytics and Data Sciences, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yuh-Jyh Jong
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Departments of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine, and Translational Research Center of Neuromuscular Diseases, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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19
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Flotats-Bastardas M, Hahn A, Schwartz O, Linsler S, Meyer S, Kolodziej M, Koehler C. Multicenter Experience with Nusinersen Application via an Intrathecal Port and Catheter System in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Neuropediatrics 2020; 51:401-406. [PMID: 33091940 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1715481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide enhancing the production of the survival motor neuron protein, is approved for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) but requires repetitive lumbar punctures. Application via a subcutaneous port connected to a permanent intrathecal catheter has been proposed as an alternative for patients with severe scoliosis, spinal fusion, or comorbidities, rendering serial interlaminar punctures complicated and risky. Since experience with this technique is sparse and follow-up data are lacking, we assessed feasibility, safety, and tolerability of this approach in eight patients with SMA II/SMA III receiving Nusinersen in a multicenter study. Median age at port implantation was 21 years (range: 10-30 years), and median follow-up time thereafter was 19 months (range: 7-24 months). Leakage of the port catheter occurred in two patients, promptly resolving after resuturing. No further complications such as infection, dislocation, kinking, or obstruction of the port were noted in any of the patients. These findings suggest that application via an intrathecal port and catheter system represents a safe and feasible option for Nusinersen treatment in subjects with SMA. However, to detect rare adverse events longer term follow-up in a larger study cohort is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Child Neurology, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Schwartz
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Steffan Linsler
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Children's Hospital of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sascha Meyer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Cornelia Koehler
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospitals of the Ruhr University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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20
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Abstract
Children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) may experience a spectrum of nutritional issues with adverse health consequences. This review summarizes the current understanding of nutritional care in pediatric NMDs, recognizing disease-specific aspects of nutrition alongside the challenges and needs in dietetic care. General or disease-related nutritional issues for children with NMDs include being underweight, overweight, or obese and having swallowing difficulty, gastroesophageal reflux, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Specific challenges in NMD nutritional assessment include alterations in body composition and energy requirements and difficulties in measuring anthropometry. Multidisciplinary dietetic intervention focuses on optimizing nutrient intakes to avert growth failure or obesity and managing feeding difficulties and gastrointestinal problems. Care guidelines are disease specific and vary in approach and detail. To promote best clinical practice across diverse settings, a standardized approach to assessing growth and nutrition across all pediatric NMDs is needed to direct optimal care centered on individual requirements. Future studies should focus on determining the prevalence of specific nutritional issues and the effectiveness of specific interventions among various pediatric NMD populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emile Chou
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Lindeback
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hugo Sampaio
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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Opie-Martin S, Ossher L, Bredin A, Kulka A, Pearce N, Talbot K, Al-Chalabi A. Motor Neuron Disease Register for England, Wales and Northern Ireland-an analysis of incidence in England. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 22:86-93. [PMID: 32940088 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1812661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has a reported incidence of 1-2/100,000 person-years. It is estimated that there are 5000 people with ALS in the UK at any one time; however, the true figure and geographical distribution, are unknown. In this study, we describe the establishment of a population register for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and report-estimated incidence. Methods: People with a diagnosis of ALS given by a consultant neurologist and whose postcode of residence is within England, Wales, or Northern Ireland were eligible. The catchment area was based on six data contributors that had been participating since 2016. All centres included in this analysis were in England, and therefore Wales and Northern Ireland are not included in this report. Crude age- and sex-specific incidence rates were estimated using population census records for the relevant postcodes from Office of National Statistics census data. These rates were standardized to the UK population structure using direct standardization. Results: There were 232 people in the database with a date of diagnosis between 2017 and 2018, when missing data were imputed there were an estimated 287-301 people. The denominator population of the catchment area is 7,251,845 according to 2011 UK census data. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence for complete cases was 1.61/100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval 1.58, 1.63), and for imputed datasets was 2.072/100,000 person-years (95% CI 2.072, 2.073). Discussion: We found incidence in this previously unreported area of the UK to be similar to other published estimates. As the MND Register for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland grows we will update incidence estimates and report on further analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Opie-Martin
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lynn Ossher
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, and
| | - Andrea Bredin
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Kulka
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Neil Pearce
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, and
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
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22
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Osmanovic A, Ranxha G, Kumpe M, Müschen L, Binz C, Wiehler F, Paracka L, Körner S, Kollewe K, Petri S, Schreiber-Katz O. Treatment expectations and patient-reported outcomes of nusinersen therapy in adult spinal muscular atrophy. J Neurol 2020; 267:2398-2407. [PMID: 32361837 PMCID: PMC7359174 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09847-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background The antisense-oligonucleotide (ASO) nusinersen has recently been approved as the first genetically modifying therapy for 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) based on randomized sham-controlled trials in infants and children. The efficacy in adults with long disease history and advanced disease status is still widely unknown; the same applies to specific expectations of adult SMA patients and to what extent they are met and may impact outcome measures. Methods In a longitudinal monocentric study in adult patients with SMA types 2–4, the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale (SETS) was assessed prior to and during nusinersen treatment. Treatment outcome was evaluated using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) as well as objectively quantifiable motor outcome measures. Results Adult SMA patients had high expectations of nusinersen treatment effectiveness regarding increase in muscle strength and disease stabilization. Via PROs, 75% stated improvements in muscle strength, endurance and independence under therapy which was in line with slight improvements in quantifiable motor scores during a ten month observation period. In contrast, patients only expressed few negative expectations which further decreased during therapy. Conclusions This study showed mainly positive treatment expectations and PROs in patients undergoing nusinersen treatment along with measurable functional improvement in adult SMA patients. Moreover, treatment expectations did not significantly influence outcome measures. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-09847-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Osmanovic
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Gresa Ranxha
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mareike Kumpe
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lars Müschen
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Camilla Binz
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Flavia Wiehler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lejla Paracka
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sonja Körner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katja Kollewe
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Olivia Schreiber-Katz
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
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Murphy LB, Schreiber-Katz O, Rafferty K, Robertson A, Topf A, Willis TA, Heidemann M, Thiele S, Bindoff L, Laurent JP, Lochmüller H, Mathews K, Mitchell C, Stevenson JH, Vissing J, Woods L, Walter MC, Straub V. Global FKRP Registry: observations in more than 300 patients with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy R9. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:757-766. [PMID: 32342672 PMCID: PMC7261761 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The Global FKRP Registry is a database for individuals with conditions caused by mutations in the Fukutin‐Related Protein (FKRP) gene: limb girdle muscular dystrophy R9 (LGMDR9, formerly LGMD2I) and congenital muscular dystrophies MDC1C, Muscle–Eye–Brain Disease and Walker–Warburg Syndrome. The registry seeks to further understand the natural history and prevalence of FKRP‐related conditions; aid the rapid identification of eligible patients for clinical studies; and provide a source of information to clinical and academic communities. Methods Registration is patient‐initiated through a secure online portal. Data, reported by both patients and their clinicians, include: age of onset, presenting symptoms, family history, motor function and muscle strength, respiratory and cardiac function, medication, quality of life and pain. Results Of 663 registered participants, 305 were genetically confirmed LGMDR9 patients from 23 countries. A majority of LGMDR9 patients carried the common mutation c.826C > A on one or both alleles; 67.9% were homozygous and 28.5% were compound heterozygous for this mutation. The mean ages of symptom onset and disease diagnosis were higher in individuals homozygous for c.826C > A compared with individuals heterozygous for c.826C > A. This divergence was replicated in ages of loss of running ability, wheelchair‐dependence and ventilation assistance; consistent with the milder phenotype associated with individuals homozygous for c.826C > A. In LGMDR9 patients, 75.1% were currently ambulant and 24.6%, nonambulant (unreported in 0.3%). Cardiac impairment was reported in 23.2% (30/129). Interpretation The Global FKRP Registry enables the collection of patient natural history data, which informs academics, healthcare professionals and industry. It represents a trial‐ready cohort of individuals and is centrally placed to facilitate recruitment to clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay B Murphy
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Karen Rafferty
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Agata Robertson
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ana Topf
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tracey A Willis
- The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, UK
| | - Marcel Heidemann
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Thiele
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Laurence Bindoff
- Department of Neurology, Neuro-SysMed, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.,The Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Katherine Mathews
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | | | - John Vissing
- Department of Neurology, Copenhagen Neuromuscular Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lacey Woods
- Patient Representative, Stanwood, Washington
| | - Maggie C Walter
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Straub
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Wan HWY, Carey KA, D'Silva A, Vucic S, Kiernan MC, Kasparian NA, Farrar MA. Health, wellbeing and lived experiences of adults with SMA: a scoping systematic review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:70. [PMID: 32164772 PMCID: PMC7068910 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-1339-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease that has a substantial and multifaceted burden on affected adults. While advances in supportive care and therapies are rapidly reshaping the therapeutic environment, these efforts have largely centered on pediatric populations. Understanding the natural history, care pathways, and patient-reported outcomes associated with SMA in adulthood is critical to advancing health policy, practice and research across the disease spectrum. The aim of this study was to systematically review research investigating the healthcare, well-being and lived experiences of adults with SMA. METHODS In accordance with the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, seven electronic databases were systematically searched until January 2020 for studies examining clinical (physical health, natural history, treatment) and patient-reported (symptoms, physical function, mental health, quality of life, lived experiences) outcomes in adults with SMA. Study risk of bias and the level of evidence were assessed using validated tools. RESULTS Ninety-five articles met eligibility criteria with clinical and methodological diversity observed across studies. A heterogeneous clinical spectrum with variability in natural history was evident in adults, yet slow declines in motor function were reported when observational periods extended beyond 2 years. There remains no high quality evidence of an efficacious drug treatment for adults. Limitations in mobility and daily activities associated with deteriorating physical health were commonly reported, alongside emotional difficulties, fatigue and a perceived lack of societal support, however there was no evidence regarding effective interventions. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review identifies the many uncertainties regarding best clinical practice, treatment response, and long-term outcomes for adults with SMA. This comprehensive identification of the current gaps in knowledge is essential to guide future clinical research, best practice care, and advance health policy with the ultimate aim of reducing the burden associated with adult SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish W Y Wan
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Kate A Carey
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Arlene D'Silva
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital and Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Nadine A Kasparian
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia.,Cincinnati Children's Center for Heart Disease and the Developing Mind, Heart Institute and the Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia. .,Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.
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Finkel RS, Day JW, De Vivo DC, Kirschner J, Mercuri E, Muntoni F, Shieh PB, Tizzano E, Desguerre I, Quijano-Roy S, Saito K, Droege M, Dabbous O, Khan F, Renault L, Anderson FA, Servais L. RESTORE: A Prospective Multinational Registry of Patients with Genetically Confirmed Spinal Muscular Atrophy - Rationale and Study Design. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 7:145-152. [PMID: 32039859 PMCID: PMC7739962 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: Dramatic improvements in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment have changed the prognosis for patients with this disease, leading to important new questions. Gathering representative, real-world data about the long-term efficacy and safety of emerging SMA interventions is essential to document their impact on patients and caregivers. Objectives: This registry will assess outcomes in patients with genetically confirmed SMA and provide information on the effectiveness and long-term safety of approved and emerging treatments. Design and Methods: RESTORE is a prospective, multicenter, multinational observational registry. Patients will be managed according to usual clinical practice. Both newly recruitedSMAtreatment centers and sites involved in existing SMA registries, including iSMAC, Treat-NMD, French SMA Assistance Publique- Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Cure-SMA, SMArtCARE, will be eligible to participate; de novo; sites already participating in another registry may be included via consortium agreements. Data from patients enrolled in partnering registries will be shared with the RESTORE Registry and data for newly diagnosed patients will be added upon enrollment. Patients will be enrolled over a 5-year period and followed for 15 years or until death. Assessments will include SMA history and treatment, pulmonary, nutritional, and motor milestones, healthcare resource utilization, work productivity, activity impairment, adverse events, quality of life, caregiver burden, and survival. Status: Recruitment started in September 2018. As of January 3, 2020, 64 patients were enrolled at 25 participating sites. Conclusions: The RESTORE Registry has begun recruiting recently diagnosed patients with genetically confirmed SMA, enabling assessment of both short- and long-term patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Finkel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - John W Day
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Darryl C De Vivo
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disease, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Department of Paediatric Neurology and Nemo Clinical Centre, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - Perry B Shieh
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eduardo Tizzano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Valle Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Susana Quijano-Roy
- Garches Neuromuscular Reference Center (GNMH), APHP Raymond Poincare University Hospital (UVSQ), Garches, France
| | - Kayoko Saito
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Farid Khan
- AveXis, Inc., Bannockburn, IL, United States
| | | | - Frederick A Anderson
- Center for Outcomes Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Wadman RI, van der Pol WL, Bosboom WMJ, Asselman F, van den Berg LH, Iannaccone ST, Vrancken AFJE. Drug treatment for spinal muscular atrophy types II and III. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 1:CD006282. [PMID: 32006461 PMCID: PMC6995983 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd006282.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by a homozygous deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene on chromosome 5, or a heterozygous deletion in combination with a (point) mutation in the second SMN1 allele. This results in degeneration of anterior horn cells, which leads to progressive muscle weakness. Children with SMA type II do not develop the ability to walk without support and have a shortened life expectancy, whereas children with SMA type III develop the ability to walk and have a normal life expectancy. This is an update of a review first published in 2009 and previously updated in 2011. OBJECTIVES To evaluate if drug treatment is able to slow or arrest the disease progression of SMA types II and III, and to assess if such therapy can be given safely. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and ISI Web of Science conference proceedings in October 2018. In October 2018, we also searched two trials registries to identify unpublished trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We sought all randomised or quasi-randomised trials that examined the efficacy of drug treatment for SMA types II and III. Participants had to fulfil the clinical criteria and have a homozygous deletion or hemizygous deletion in combination with a point mutation in the second allele of the SMN1 gene (5q11.2-13.2) confirmed by genetic analysis. The primary outcome measure was change in disability score within one year after the onset of treatment. Secondary outcome measures within one year after the onset of treatment were change in muscle strength, ability to stand or walk, change in quality of life, time from the start of treatment until death or full-time ventilation and adverse events attributable to treatment during the trial period. Treatment strategies involving SMN1-replacement with viral vectors are out of the scope of this review, but a summary is given in Appendix 1. Drug treatment for SMA type I is the topic of a separate Cochrane Review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed standard Cochrane methodology. MAIN RESULTS The review authors found 10 randomised, placebo-controlled trials of treatments for SMA types II and III for inclusion in this review, with 717 participants. We added four of the trials at this update. The trials investigated creatine (55 participants), gabapentin (84 participants), hydroxyurea (57 participants), nusinersen (126 participants), olesoxime (165 participants), phenylbutyrate (107 participants), somatotropin (20 participants), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (nine participants), valproic acid (33 participants), and combination therapy with valproic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) (61 participants). Treatment duration was from three to 24 months. None of the studies investigated the same treatment and none was completely free of bias. All studies had adequate blinding, sequence generation and reporting of primary outcomes. Based on moderate-certainty evidence, intrathecal nusinersen improved motor function (disability) in children with SMA type II, with a 3.7-point improvement in the nusinersen group on the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE; range of possible scores 0 to 66), compared to a 1.9-point decline on the HFMSE in the sham procedure group (P < 0.01; n = 126). On all motor function scales used, higher scores indicate better function. Based on moderate-certainty evidence from two studies, the following interventions had no clinically important effect on motor function scores in SMA types II or III (or both) in comparison to placebo: creatine (median change 1 higher, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1 to 2; on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), scale 0 to 264; n = 40); and combination therapy with valproic acid and carnitine (mean difference (MD) 0.64, 95% CI -1.1 to 2.38; on the Modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (MHFMS), scale 0 to 40; n = 61). Based on low-certainty evidence from other single studies, the following interventions had no clinically important effect on motor function scores in SMA types II or III (or both) in comparison to placebo: gabapentin (median change 0 in the gabapentin group and -2 in the placebo group on the SMA Functional Rating Scale (SMAFRS), scale 0 to 50; n = 66); hydroxyurea (MD -1.88, 95% CI -3.89 to 0.13 on the GMFM, scale 0 to 264; n = 57), phenylbutyrate (MD -0.13, 95% CI -0.84 to 0.58 on the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (HFMS) scale 0 to 40; n = 90) and monotherapy of valproic acid (MD 0.06, 95% CI -1.32 to 1.44 on SMAFRS, scale 0 to 50; n = 31). Very low-certainty evidence suggested that the following interventions had little or no effect on motor function: olesoxime (MD 2, 95% -0.25 to 4.25 on the Motor Function Measure (MFM) D1 + D2, scale 0 to 75; n = 160) and somatotropin (median change at 3 months 0.25 higher, 95% CI -1 to 2.5 on the HFMSE, scale 0 to 66; n = 19). One small TRH trial did not report effects on motor function and the certainty of evidence for other outcomes from this trial were low or very low. Results of nine completed trials investigating 4-aminopyridine, acetyl-L-carnitine, CK-2127107, hydroxyurea, pyridostigmine, riluzole, RO6885247/RG7800, salbutamol and valproic acid were awaited and not available for analysis at the time of writing. Various trials and studies investigating treatment strategies other than nusinersen (e.g. SMN2-augmentation by small molecules), are currently ongoing. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Nusinersen improves motor function in SMA type II, based on moderate-certainty evidence. Creatine, gabapentin, hydroxyurea, phenylbutyrate, valproic acid and the combination of valproic acid and ALC probably have no clinically important effect on motor function in SMA types II or III (or both) based on low-certainty evidence, and olesoxime and somatropin may also have little to no clinically important effect but evidence was of very low-certainty. One trial of TRH did not measure motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske I Wadman
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Wendy MJ Bosboom
- Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis locatie WestDepartment of NeurologyAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Fay‐Lynn Asselman
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Susan T Iannaccone
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDepartment of Pediatrics5323 Harry Hines BoulevardDallasTexasUSA75390
| | - Alexander FJE Vrancken
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
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Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in SMN1 and results in the loss of motor neurons and progressive muscle weakness. The spectrum of disease severity ranges from early onset with respiratory failure during the first months of life to a mild, adult-onset type with slow rate of progression. Over the past decade, new treatment options such as splicing modulation of SMN2 and SMN1 gene replacement by gene therapy have been developed. First drugs have been approved for treatment of patients with SMA and if initiated early they can significantly modify the natural course of the disease. As a consequence, newborn screening for SMA is explored and implemented in an increasing number of countries. However, available evidence for these new treatments is often limited to a small spectrum of patients concerning age and disease stage. In this review we provide an overview of available and emerging therapies for spinal muscular atrophy and we discuss new phenotypes and associated challenges in clinical care. Collection of real-world data with standardized outcome measures will be essential to improve both the understanding of treatment effects in patients of all SMA subtypes and the basis for clinical decision-making in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Schorling
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Pechmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by a homozygous deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene on chromosome 5, or a heterozygous deletion in combination with a point mutation in the second SMN1 allele. This results in degeneration of anterior horn cells, which leads to progressive muscle weakness. By definition, children with SMA type I are never able to sit without support and usually die or become ventilator dependent before the age of two years. There have until very recently been no drug treatments to influence the course of SMA. We undertook this updated review to evaluate new evidence on emerging treatments for SMA type I. The review was first published in 2009 and previously updated in 2011. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of any drug therapy designed to slow or arrest progression of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and ISI Web of Science conference proceedings in October 2018. We also searched two trials registries to identify unpublished trials (October 2018). SELECTION CRITERIA We sought all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs that examined the efficacy of drug treatment for SMA type I. Included participants had to fulfil clinical criteria and have a genetically confirmed deletion or mutation of the SMN1 gene (5q11.2-13.2). The primary outcome measure was age at death or full-time ventilation. Secondary outcome measures were acquisition of motor milestones, i.e. head control, rolling, sitting or standing, motor milestone response on disability scores within one year after the onset of treatment, and adverse events and serious adverse events attributable to treatment during the trial period. Treatment strategies involving SMN1 gene replacement with viral vectors are out of the scope of this review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed standard Cochrane methodology. MAIN RESULTS We identified two RCTs: one trial of intrathecal nusinersen in comparison to a sham (control) procedure in 121 randomised infants with SMA type I, which was newly included at this update, and one small trial comparing riluzole treatment to placebo in 10 children with SMA type I. The RCT of intrathecally-injected nusinersen was stopped early for efficacy (based on a predefined Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination-Section 2 (HINE-2) response). At the interim analyses after 183 days of treatment, 41% (21/51) of nusinersen-treated infants showed a predefined improvement on HINE-2, compared to 0% (0/27) of participants in the control group. This trial was largely at low risk of bias. Final analyses (ranging from 6 months to 13 months of treatment), showed that fewer participants died or required full-time ventilation (defined as more than 16 hours daily for 21 days or more) in the nusinersen-treated group than the control group (hazard ratio (HR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32 to 0.89; N = 121; a 47% lower risk; moderate-certainty evidence). A proportion of infants in the nusinersen group and none of 37 infants in the control group achieved motor milestones: 37/73 nusinersen-treated infants (51%) achieved a motor milestone response on HINE-2 (risk ratio (RR) 38.51, 95% CI 2.43 to 610.14; N = 110; moderate-certainty evidence); 16/73 achieved head control (RR 16.95, 95% CI 1.04 to 274.84; moderate-certainty evidence); 6/73 achieved independent sitting (RR 6.68, 95% CI 0.39 to 115.38; moderate-certainty evidence); 7/73 achieved rolling over (RR 7.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 131.29); and 1/73 achieved standing (RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.06 to 36.92; moderate-certainty evidence). Seventy-one per cent of nusinersen-treated infants versus 3% of infants in the control group were responders on the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP INTEND) measure of motor disability (RR 26.36, 95% CI 3.79 to 183.18; N = 110; moderate-certainty evidence). Adverse events and serious adverse events occurred in the majority of infants but were no more frequent in the nusinersen-treated group than the control group (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.05 and RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.89, respectively; N = 121; moderate-certainty evidence). In the riluzole trial, three of seven children treated with riluzole were still alive at the ages of 30, 48, and 64 months, whereas all three children in the placebo group died. None of the children in the riluzole or placebo group developed the ability to sit, which was the only milestone reported. There were no adverse effects. The certainty of the evidence for all measured outcomes from this study was very low, because the study was too small to detect or rule out an effect, and had serious limitations, including baseline differences. This trial was stopped prematurely because the pharmaceutical company withdrew funding. Various trials and studies investigating treatment strategies other than nusinersen, such as SMN2 augmentation by small molecules, are ongoing. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Based on the very limited evidence currently available regarding drug treatments for SMA type 1, intrathecal nusinersen probably prolongs ventilation-free and overall survival in infants with SMA type I. It is also probable that a greater proportion of infants treated with nusinersen than with a sham procedure achieve motor milestones and can be classed as responders to treatment on clinical assessments (HINE-2 and CHOP INTEND). The proportion of children experiencing adverse events and serious adverse events on nusinersen is no higher with nusinersen treatment than with a sham procedure, based on evidence of moderate certainty. It is uncertain whether riluzole has any effect in patients with SMA type I, based on the limited available evidence. Future trials could provide more high-certainty, longer-term evidence to confirm this result, or focus on comparing new treatments to nusinersen or evaluate them as an add-on therapy to nusinersen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske I Wadman
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Wendy MJ Bosboom
- Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis locatie WestDepartment of NeurologyAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Fay‐Lynn Asselman
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Susan T Iannaccone
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDepartment of Pediatrics5323 Harry Hines BoulevardDallasTexasUSA75390
| | - Alexander FJE Vrancken
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
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Mercuri E, Finkel R, Scoto M, Hall S, Eaton S, Rashid A, Balashkina J, Coratti G, Pera MC, Samsuddin S, Civitello M, Muntoni F, De Vivo DC, Darras BT, Day J, Montes J, Glanzmann A, Pasternack A, Salazar R, Dunaway Young S, Duong T, Pane M, Berti B, Palermo C, Leone D, Frongia A, Antonaci L, De Sanctis R, Messina S, Bertini E, Vita G, Bruno C, Sframeli M, Sansone VA, Albamonte E, D'amico A. Development of an academic disease registry for spinal muscular atrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2019; 29:794-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Walter MC, Dräger B, Günther R, Hermann A, Hagenacker T, Kleinschnitz C, Löscher W, Meyer T, Schrank B, Schwersenz I, Wurster CD, Ludolph AC, Kirschner J. [Treatment evaluation in patients with 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy : Real-world experience]. Nervenarzt 2019; 90:343-51. [PMID: 30617569 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0653-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease with an incidence of 1:10,000 live births. With a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of SMA in the past two decades, a major focus of therapeutic development has been on increasing the proportion of functionally capable SMN protein by increasing the inclusion of exon 7 in SMN2 transcripts, enhancing SMN2 gene expression, stabilizing the SMN protein or replacing the SMN1 gene. Since June 2017, the antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen/Spinraza® (Biogen GmbH, Ismaning, Germany) has been approved for 5qSMA treatment. Nusinersen modifies premessenger RNA splicing of exon 7, leading to stable SMN protein expression and for the first time an effective disease-modifying treatment is available. In several controlled trials nusinersen showed a favorable benefit-risk profile along with clinically relevant improvements in motor function. The efficacy was most pronounced in presymptomatic patients, which underlines the necessity for a newborn screening program and is the key to start efficient treatment prior to motor neuron death. The repeated intrathecal administration of nusinersen is associated with practical challenges, in particular for patients with severe scoliosis or after spinal straightening surgery. As the vast majority of SMA patients were outside previous study populations regarding age and disease duration, experts complained about a lack of data on efficacy and safety beyond childhood. To fill these gaps a systematic data collection has been initiated by the SMArtCARE initiative, aiming at collecting comprehensive data in the clinical routine, regardless of the patients' individual treatment regimen.
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Alvarez K, Suarez B, Palomino MA, Hervias C, Calcagno G, Martínez-Jalilie M, Lozano-Arango A, Lillo S, Haro M, Cortés F, Pantoja S, Chahin A, Orellana P, Bevilacqua JA, Bertini E, Castiglioni C. Observations from a nationwide vigilance program in medical care for spinal muscular atrophy patients in Chile. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2019; 77:470-477. [PMID: 31365638 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x20190073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
METHODS Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has gained much attention in the last few years because of the approval of the first intrathecal treatment for this neurodegenerative disease. Latin America needs to develop the demographics of SMA, timely access to diagnosis, and appropriate following of the standards of care recommendations for patients. These are essential steps to guide health policies. This was a descriptive study of a cohort of SMA patients from all over Chile. We analyzed the clinical, motor functional, and social data, as well as the care status of nutritional, respiratory and skeletal conditions. We also measured the SMN2 copy number in this population. RESULTS We recruited 92 patients: 50 male; 23 SMA type-1, 36 SMA type-2 and 33 SMA type-3. The median age at genetic diagnosis was 5, 24 and 132 months. We evaluated the SMN2 copy number in 57 patients. The SMA type-1 patients were tracheostomized and fed by gastrostomy in a 69.6 % of cases, 65% of SMA type-2 patients received nocturnal noninvasive ventilation, and 37% of the whole cohort underwent scoliosis surgery. CONCLUSION Ventilatory care for SMA type-1 is still based mainly on tracheostomy. This Chilean cohort of SMA patients had timely access to genetic diagnosis, ventilatory assistance, nutritional support, and scoliosis surgery. In this series, SMA type-1 is underrepresented, probably due to restrictions in access to early diagnosis and the high and early mortality rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Alvarez
- Clínica Las Condes, Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Oncología, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bernardita Suarez
- Clínica Las Condes, Departamento de Neurología Pediátrica, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Cecilia Hervias
- Clínica Las Condes, Servicio de Kinesioterapia, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Susana Lillo
- Clínica Las Condes, Departamento de Medicina Física, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mariana Haro
- Clínica Las Condes, Departamento de Medicina Física, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fanny Cortés
- Clínica Las Condes, Departamento de Pediatría, Santiago, Chile
| | - Samuel Pantoja
- Clínica Las Condes, Departamento de Ortopedia y Traumatología, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrés Chahin
- Clínica Las Condes, Departamento de Ortopedia y Traumatología, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Orellana
- Clínica Las Condes, Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Oncología, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Enrico Bertini
- Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Unit of Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease, Rome, Italy
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Wijngaarde CA, Brink RC, de Kort FA, Stam M, Otto LAM, Asselman FL, Bartels B, van Eijk RP, Sombroek J, Cuppen I, Verhoef M, van den Berg LH, Wadman RI, Castelein RM, van der Pol WL. Natural course of scoliosis and lifetime risk of scoliosis surgery in spinal muscular atrophy. Neurology 2019; 93:e149-e158. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000007742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the natural course of scoliosis and to estimate lifetime probability of scoliosis surgery in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from 283 patients from our population-based cohort study. Additional longitudinal data on scoliosis progression and spinal surgery were collected from 36 consecutive patients who received scoliosis surgery at our center.ResultsThe lifetime probability of receiving scoliosis surgery was ≈80% in SMA types 1c and 2. Patients with type 2 who only learned to sit (type 2a) were significantly younger at time of surgery than those who learned to sit and stand (type 2b). The lifetime risk of surgery was lower in type 3a (40%) and strongly associated with age at loss of ambulation: 71% in patients losing ambulation before 10 years of age vs 22% losing ambulation after the age of 10 years (p = 0.005). In type 3a, preserving the ability to walk 1 year longer corresponded to a 15% decrease in lifetime risk of scoliosis surgery (hazard ratio 0.852, p = 0.017). Scoliosis development was characterized by initial slow progression, followed by acceleration in the 1.5- to 2-year period before surgery.ConclusionThe lifetime probability of scoliosis surgery is high in SMA types 1c and 2 and depends on age at loss of ambulation in type 3. Motor milestones such as standing that are not part of the standard classification system are of additional predictive value. Our data may act as a reference to assess long-term effects of new SMA-specific therapies.
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Pechmann A, König K, Bernert G, Schachtrup K, Schara U, Schorling D, Schwersenz I, Stein S, Tassoni A, Vogt S, Walter MC, Lochmüller H, Kirschner J. SMArtCARE - A platform to collect real-life outcome data of patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2019; 14:18. [PMID: 30665421 PMCID: PMC6341722 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-0998-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survival and quality of life for patients affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are thought to have improved over the last decade due to changes in care. In addition, targeted treatments for SMA have been developed based on a better understanding of the molecular pathology. In 2016 and 2017, nusinersen was the first drug to be approved for treatment of all types of SMA in the United States and in Europe based on well-controlled clinical trials in a small subgroup of pediatric SMA patients. Systems are required to monitor treated and untreated SMA patients in a real-life environment to optimize treatment and care, and to provide outcome data to regulators, payers, and the SMA community. METHODS Within SMArtCARE, we conduct a prospective, multicenter non-randomized registration and outcome study. SMArtCARE collects longitudinal data on all available SMA patients independent of their actual treatment regime as disease-specific SMA registry. For this purpose, we provide an online platform for SMA patients seen by health-care providers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. All data are collected during routine patient visits. Items for data collection are aligned with the international consensus for SMA registries. Data analysis is carried out independent of commercial partners. CONCLUSION A prospective monitoring of all SMA patients will lead to a better understanding of the natural history of SMA and the influence of drug treatment. This is crucial to improve the care of SMA patients. Further, we will establish a network for neuromuscular centers to share experience with SMA patients and to promote research projects on SMA. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register ("Deutsches Register klinischer Studien") DRKS00012699. Registered 09 August 2018. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00012699 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Pechmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten König
- Clinical Trials Unit, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Kristina Schachtrup
- Clinical Trials Unit, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Neuromuscular Centre for Children and Adolescents, Children’s Hospital 1, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - David Schorling
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Inge Schwersenz
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Muskelkranke e. V., Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Stein
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Physiotherapy, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adrian Tassoni
- Clinical Trials Unit, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Vogt
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Physiotherapy, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maggie C. Walter
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital Ottawa Children’s, Canada and Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Ambrosini A, Calabrese D, Avato FM, Catania F, Cavaletti G, Pera MC, Toscano A, Vita G, Monaco L, Pareyson D. The Italian neuromuscular registry: a coordinated platform where patient organizations and clinicians collaborate for data collection and multiple usage. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2018; 13:176. [PMID: 30286784 PMCID: PMC6172847 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-018-0918-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The worldwide landscape of patient registries in the neuromuscular disease (NMD) field has significantly changed in the last 10 years, with the international TREAT-NMD network acting as strong driver. At the same time, the European Medicines Agency and the large federations of rare disease patient organizations (POs), such as EURORDIS, contributed to a great cultural change, by promoting a paradigm shift from product-registries to patient-centred registries. In Italy, several NMD POs and Fondazione Telethon undertook the development of a TREAT-NMD linked patient registry in 2009, with the referring clinical network providing input and support to this initiative through the years. This article describes the outcome of this joint effort and shares the experience gained. METHODS The Italian NMD registry is based on an informatics technology platform, structured according to the most rigorous legal national and European requirements for management of patient sensitive data. A user-friendly web interface allows both direct patients and clinicians' participation. The platform's design permits expansion to incorporate new modules and new registries, and is suitable of interoperability with other international efforts. RESULTS When the Italian NMD Registry was initiated, an ad hoc legal entity (NMD Registry Association) was devised to manage registries' data. Currently, several disease-specific databases are hosted on the platform. They collect molecular and clinical details of individuals affected by Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, transthyretin type-familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, muscle glycogen storage disorders, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy. These disease-specific registries are at different stage of development, and the NMD Registry itself has gone through several implementation steps to fulfil different technical and governance needs. The new governance model is based on the agreement between the NMD Registry Association and the professional societies representing the Italian NMD clinical network. Overall, up to now the NMD registry has collected data on more than 2000 individuals living with a NMD condition. CONCLUSIONS The Italian NMD Registry is a flexible platform that manages several condition-specific databases and is suitable to upgrade. All stakeholders participate in its management, with clear roles and responsibilities. This governance model has been key to its success. In fact, it favored patient empowerment and their direct participation in research, while also engaging the expert clinicians of the Italian network in the collection of accurate clinical data according to the best clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Calabrese
- UOC Malattie neurodegenerative e neurometaboliche rare, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Guido Cavaletti
- School of Medicine and Surgery and Experimental Neurology Unit, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Pera
- Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo, Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Toscano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Lucia Monaco
- Fondazione Telethon, Via Poerio 14, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pareyson
- UOC Malattie neurodegenerative e neurometaboliche rare, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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Farrar MA, Teoh HL, Carey KA, Cairns A, Forbes R, Herbert K, Holland S, Jones KJ, Menezes MP, Morrison M, Munro K, Villano D, Webster R, Woodcock IR, Yiu EM, Sampaio H, Ryan MM. Nusinersen for SMA: expanded access programme. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2018; 89:937-942. [PMID: 29549190 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-317412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating motor neuron disorder causing progressive muscle weakness and respiratory insufficiency. We present the initial Australian experiences implementing the expanded access programme (EAP) to enable preapproval access to nusinersen, the first disease-modifying therapy, for SMA type 1. METHODS An Australian multicentre, open-label EAP for nusinersen enrolled patients with infantile-onset SMA type 1 from November 2016 to September 2017. Standard-of-care medical therapy and treatment with intrathecal nusinersen were provided to all patients. Clinical and diagnostic characteristics, molecular genetics, treatment administered, and functional motor outcomes were assessed. RESULTS A total of 20 patients with SMA type 1 met the inclusion criteria, of whom 16 consented and received nusinersen treatment. Median time to diagnosis from symptom onset was 5.0 months and was correlated with age of onset (r=0.54, P<0.05). Management shifts included proactive nutritional and pulmonary support in all newly diagnosed patients with increased complexity of decision making. Supplemental nutrition with or without nocturnal non-invasive ventilation was implemented during follow-up in new diagnoses with age of onset <3 months and 2 SMN2 copies. CONCLUSIONS The nusinersen EAP highlights difficulties in achieving early diagnosis and/or prevention, the evolution of optimal clinical care in a time of uncertain prognostication, resource implications and ethical issues in clinical practice for SMA type 1. These challenges are broadly relevant to the realisation of all novel therapeutics in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Farrar
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hooi Ling Teoh
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kate A Carey
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anita Cairns
- Department of Neurology, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robin Forbes
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karen Herbert
- Department of Physiotherapy, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sandra Holland
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kristi J Jones
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Manoj P Menezes
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Margot Morrison
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kate Munro
- Department of Neurology, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Daniella Villano
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard Webster
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian R Woodcock
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eppie M Yiu
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hugo Sampaio
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Monique M Ryan
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Grychtol R, Abel F, Fitzgerald DA. The role of sleep diagnostics and non-invasive ventilation in children with spinal muscular atrophy. Paediatr Respir Rev 2018; 28:18-25. [PMID: 30396824 DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a degenerative motor neurone disorder causing progressive muscular weakness. Without assisted ventilation or novel therapies, most children with SMA type 1 die before the second year of life due to respiratory failure as the respiratory muscles and bulbar function are severely affected. Active respiratory treatment (mechanically assisted cough, invasive or non-invasive ventilation) has improved survival significantly in recent decades, but often at the cost of becoming ventilator dependent. The advent of a new oligonucleotide based therapy (Nusinersen) has created new optimism for improving motor function. However, the long-term effect on respiratory function is unclear and non-invasive respiratory support will remain an important part of medical management in patients with SMA. This review summarises the existing knowledge about sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory failure in patients with SMA, especially type 1, as well as the evidence of improved outcome and survival in patients treated with non-invasive or invasive ventilation. Practical considerations and ethical concerns are delineated with discussion on how these may be affected by the advent of new therapies such as Nusinersen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Grychtol
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Francois Abel
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Dominic A Fitzgerald
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Farrar MA, Carey KA, Paguinto SG, Chambers G, Kasparian NA. Financial, opportunity and psychosocial costs of spinal muscular atrophy: an exploratory qualitative analysis of Australian carer perspectives. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e020907. [PMID: 29794098 PMCID: PMC5988080 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has profound implications for patients and families. The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the effects caring for a child with SMA has on the costs incurred by families caring for a child with SMA from carer perspectives to identify gaps in provision of care, inform public policy and cost-effectiveness analyses. DESIGN Interpretive phenomenological analysis guided the delivery and analysis of semi-structured interviews undertaken to explore the financial, opportunity and psychosocial costs associated with caring for children with SMA. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Parents of children with SMA types II and III from a single Australian paediatric neuromuscular clinic participated in this study. RESULTS A range of experiences were reported and information saturation (n=7) was reached endorsing themes, including: significant financial and caregiving burdens, adjusted career choices and limitations on career progression and a complex landscape of access to funding, equipment, support and resources. Opportunity costs of foregone employment, purchases and leisure activities were substantial, as were emotional and social impacts. Participants voiced determination and resilience, and called for continued efforts to improve supportive care services and resources. CONCLUSIONS The range and nature of costs met by families caring for a child with SMA were found to be expansive and not typically recognised. These include high direct costs associated with goods and services, indirect costs associated with voluntary care, substantial and long-term opportunities foregone in paid employment and career progression and unmeasured or hidden costs associated with mental health burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Farrar
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate A Carey
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah-Grace Paguinto
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Georgina Chambers
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nadine A Kasparian
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Heart Centre for Children, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (Westmead and Randwick), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Rodrigues MJ, O’Grady GL, Hammond-Tooke G, Kidd A, Love DO, Baker RK, Roxburgh RH. The New Zealand Neuromuscular Disease Patient Registry; Five Years and a Thousand Patients. J Neuromuscul Dis 2018; 4:183-188. [PMID: 28800337 PMCID: PMC5611797 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-170240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The New Zealand Neuromuscular Disease Patient Registry has been recruiting for five years. Its primary aim is to enable people with neuromuscular disease to participate in research including clinical trials. It has contributed data to large anonymised cohort studies and many feasibility studies, and has provided practical information and advice to researchers wanting to work with people with neuromuscular conditions. 1019 people have enrolled since the Registry's launch in August 2011 with over 70 different diagnoses. Of these; 8 patients have been involved in clinical trials, 134 in other disease-specific research and 757 have contributed anonymised data to cohort studies. As a result the Registry is now effectively facilitating almost all neuromuscular research currently taking place in New Zealand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam J. Rodrigues
- Neurology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand, Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gina L. O’Grady
- Paediatric Neurology, Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Graeme Hammond-Tooke
- Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Neurology, Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Alexa Kidd
- Canterbury Health Laboratories, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Donald O. Love
- Diagnostic Genetics, LabPLUS, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ronelle K. Baker
- Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand, Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard H. Roxburgh
- Neurology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hjorth E, Kreicbergs U, Sejersen T, Lövgren M. Parents' advice to healthcare professionals working with children who have spinal muscular atrophy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2018; 22:128-134. [PMID: 29146237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM To explore parents' advice to healthcare professionals working with children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study derives from a Swedish nationwide survey and uses content analysis to make inferences from answers to an open-ended question concerning parent's advice to healthcare professionals. Of eligible parents who had a child born in Sweden between 2000 and 2010, diagnosed with SMA type 1 or 2, and for whom respiratory support was considered in the first year of life, 61 participated in the study (response rate: 87%). Of these, 51 parents answered the question about advice to healthcare professionals working with children with SMA. RESULTS More than half of the advice from parents was related to professional-family relations. The second most frequent type of advice related to two aspects of knowledge about SMA: desire that healthcare professionals possess knowledge, and desire that they provide knowledge. The parents also had advice concerning support in daily life, both to the parents and to the affected child. Other pieces of advice were related to organization of care and the parents' desire to be involved in the child's care. CONCLUSIONS Parents advised healthcare professionals to increase their disease-specific knowledge, to treat the parents as experts on their child, and to treat the family with respect, particularly in situations where the child's case is used as an opportunity to improve healthcare professionals' competence. Increased practical support in daily life and a case coordinator is also among parents' advice to healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Hjorth
- Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Box 11189, 100 61 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Box 11189, 100 61 Stockholm, Sweden; The Department of Women's and Children's Health, Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, E-177 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thomas Sejersen
- The Department of Women's and Children's Health, Paediatric Neurology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, E-177 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Malin Lövgren
- Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Box 11189, 100 61 Stockholm, Sweden; The Department of Women's and Children's Health, Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, E-177 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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40
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Wei Y, McCormick A, MacKenzie A, O'Ferrall E, Venance S, Mah JK, Selby K, McMillan HJ, Smith G, Oskoui M, Hogan G, McAdam L, Mabaya G, Hodgkinson V, Lounsberry J, Korngut L, Campbell C. The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry: Connecting patients to national and international research opportunities. Paediatr Child Health 2017; 23:20-26. [PMID: 29479275 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxx125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patient registries serve an important role in rare disease research, particularly for the recruitment and planning of clinical trials. The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry was established with the primary objective of improving the future for neuromuscular (NM) patients through the enablement and support of research into potential treatments. Methods In this report, we discuss design and utilization of the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry with special reference to the paediatric cohort currently enrolled in the registry. Results As of July 25, 2017, there are 658 paediatric participants enrolled in the registry, 249 are dystrophinopathies (229 are Duchenne muscular dystrophy), 57 are myotonic dystrophy participants, 98 spinal muscular atrophy participants and 65 are limb girdle muscular dystrophy. A total of 175 patients have another NM diagnosis. The registry has facilitated 20 clinical trial inquiries, 5 mail-out survey studies and 5 other studies in the paediatric population. Discussion The strengths of the registry are discussed. The registry has proven to be an invaluable tool to NM disease research and has increased Canada's visibility as a competitive location for the conduct of clinical trials for NM therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wei
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
| | - Anna McCormick
- Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Alex MacKenzie
- Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Erin O'Ferrall
- Rare Neurological Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Shannon Venance
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
| | - Jean K Mah
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Kathryn Selby
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
| | - Hugh J McMillan
- Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Garth Smith
- Child Development Centre, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
| | - Maryam Oskoui
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.,Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Gillian Hogan
- Erin Oak Kids Centre for Treatment and Development, Mississauga, Ontario
| | - Laura McAdam
- Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Gracia Mabaya
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
| | - Victoria Hodgkinson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Josh Lounsberry
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Lawrence Korngut
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Craig Campbell
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.,Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
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41
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Lally C, Jones C, Farwell W, Reyna SP, Cook SF, Flanders WD. Indirect estimation of the prevalence of spinal muscular atrophy Type I, II, and III in the United States. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2017; 12:175. [PMID: 29183396 PMCID: PMC5704427 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-017-0724-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive, devastating disease and a leading inherited cause of infant mortality. The limited population-based literature is confined to small regional studies. Estimates of prevalence are needed to characterize the burden of SMA and to understand trends in prevalence by disease type as new treatments become available. The reported estimates of SMA genotype prevalence at birth consistently range from 8.5–10.3 per 100,000 live births, with a mid-range estimate of 9.4 per 100,000. Among infants born with an SMA genotype, it is reported that ~58% will develop SMA Type I, 29% will develop Type II, and 13% will develop Type III, respectively. Results Using evidence from peer-reviewed literature for SMA birth prevalence, age at symptom onset, and SMA type-specific survival, and incorporating United States vital statistics, we constructed life tables to estimate prevalence for SMA Types I, II, and III in the United States. We estimated the number of prevalent cases in the US to be 8526, 9429, and 10,333 based on a birth prevalence of 8.5, 9.4, and 10.3, respectively (the lower, midpoint, and upper ends of the reported range). Assuming the midpoint of 9.4 and US-reported survival, the type-specific population prevalence estimates were 1610 for SMA Type I, 3944 for SMA Type II, and 3875 for SMA Type III. Evidence-based estimates of the number of people living with SMA in the United States in the published literature were previously unavailable. Conclusions In the absence of a survey or other means to directly estimate prevalence in the US population, estimates can be calculated indirectly using a life table. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-017-0724-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Lally
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - W Dana Flanders
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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42
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Sernadela P, González-Castro L, Carta C, van der Horst E, Lopes P, Kaliyaperumal R, Thompson M, Thompson R, Queralt-Rosinach N, Lopez E, Wood L, Robertson A, Lamanna C, Gilling M, Orth M, Merino-Martinez R, Posada M, Taruscio D, Lochmüller H, Robinson P, Roos M, Oliveira JL. Linked Registries: Connecting Rare Diseases Patient Registries through a Semantic Web Layer. Biomed Res Int 2017; 2017:8327980. [PMID: 29214177 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8327980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Patient registries are an essential tool to increase current knowledge regarding rare diseases. Understanding these data is a vital step to improve patient treatments and to create the most adequate tools for personalized medicine. However, the growing number of disease-specific patient registries brings also new technical challenges. Usually, these systems are developed as closed data silos, with independent formats and models, lacking comprehensive mechanisms to enable data sharing. To tackle these challenges, we developed a Semantic Web based solution that allows connecting distributed and heterogeneous registries, enabling the federation of knowledge between multiple independent environments. This semantic layer creates a holistic view over a set of anonymised registries, supporting semantic data representation, integrated access, and querying. The implemented system gave us the opportunity to answer challenging questions across disperse rare disease patient registries. The interconnection between those registries using Semantic Web technologies benefits our final solution in a way that we can query single or multiple instances according to our needs. The outcome is a unique semantic layer, connecting miscellaneous registries and delivering a lightweight holistic perspective over the wealth of knowledge stemming from linked rare disease patient registries.
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43
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Dominguez CE, Cunningham D, Chandler DS. SMN regulation in SMA and in response to stress: new paradigms and therapeutic possibilities. Hum Genet 2017; 136:1173-1191. [PMID: 28852871 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-017-1835-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Low levels of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein cause the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a pediatric disease characterized by spinal motor neuron degeneration. SMA exhibits several levels of severity ranging from early antenatal fatality to only mild muscular weakness, and disease prognosis is related directly to the amount of functional SMN protein that a patient is able to express. Current therapies are being developed to increase the production of functional SMN protein; however, understanding the effect that natural stresses have on the production and function of SMN is of critical importance to ensuring that these therapies will have the greatest possible effect for patients. Research has shown that SMN, both on the mRNA and protein level, is highly affected by cellular stress. In this review we will summarize the research that highlights the roles of SMN in the disease process and the response of SMN to various environmental stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Dominguez
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - David Cunningham
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Dawn S Chandler
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. .,Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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44
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Verhaart IEC, Robertson A, Leary R, McMacken G, König K, Kirschner J, Jones CC, Cook SF, Lochmüller H. A multi-source approach to determine SMA incidence and research ready population. J Neurol 2017; 264:1465-1473. [PMID: 28634652 PMCID: PMC5502065 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-017-8549-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), degeneration of motor neurons causes progressive muscular weakness, which is caused by homozygous deletion of the SMN1 gene. Available epidemiological data on SMA are scarce, often outdated, and limited to relatively small regions or populations. Combining data from different sources including genetic laboratories and patient registries may provide better insight of the disease epidemiology. To investigate the incidence of genetically confirmed SMA, and the number of patients who are able and approachable to participate in new clinical trials and observational research, we used both genetic laboratories, the TREAT-NMD Global SMA Patient Registry and the Care and Trial Sites Registry (CTSR). In Europe, 4653 patients were genetically diagnosed by the genetic laboratories in the 5-year period 2011 to 2015, with 992 diagnosed in 2015 alone. The data provide an estimated incidence of SMA in Europe of 1 in 3900-16,000 live births. Patient numbers in the national patient registries and CTSR were considerably lower. By far, most patients registered in the national patient registries and the CTSR live in Europe and are reported to have SMA type II. Considerable differences between countries in patient participation in the registries were observed. Our findings indicate that not all patients with SMA are accessed by specialist healthcare services and these patients may not have access to research opportunities and optimal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid E. C. Verhaart
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Agata Robertson
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Rebecca Leary
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Grace McMacken
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Kirsten König
- Clinical Trials Unit, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Hanns Lochmüller
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ UK
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45
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Oskoui M, Ng P, Liben S, Zielinski D. Physician driven variation in the care of children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1. Pediatr Pulmonol 2017; 52:662-668. [PMID: 27685758 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.23616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing numbers of families are requesting active supportive management for their child with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), leading to longer survival and greater prevalence of affected children. Strong opinions exist among physicians for and against the provision of care measures prolonging life. OBJECTIVE To describe current practice in the care of SMA1 in Canada, and explore the factors underlying inter-physician variability. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of Canadian hospital-based pediatric neurologists and pediatric respirologists was performed in 2015. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare proportions between groups. RESULTS There was a 54% completion rate (99 physicians). Over half of participants believed that a disease modifying therapy was likely within 10 years. Quebec respirologists were 50 times less likely to offer long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) than respirologists in other provinces (OR 50.6, 95% CI 2.4-1075.3), and 20 times less likely to discuss tracheostomy with families (OR 20.4, 95% CI 2.0-211.8). High raters of perceived happiness of affected children were more likely to find NIV an acceptable measure for acute (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.7-26.0) and chronic (OR 13.7, 95% CI 4.0-46.4) respiratory failure and prophylactic use (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.2-15.6). CONCLUSION Physician knowledge, opinions, subjective perception of child happiness, and regional factors, all influence physicians' practices and the shared decision-making process. Parents may not be informed or offered all the services available to their child. Knowledge translation initiatives are needed to enhance SMA1 care. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:662-668. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Oskoui
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pamela Ng
- McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen Liben
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - David Zielinski
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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46
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Wood L, Cordts I, Atalaia A, Marini-Bettolo C, Maddison P, Phillips M, Roberts M, Rogers M, Hammans S, Straub V, Petty R, Orrell R, Monckton DG, Nikolenko N, Jimenez-Moreno AC, Thompson R, Hilton-Jones D, Turner C, Lochmüller H. The UK Myotonic Dystrophy Patient Registry: facilitating and accelerating clinical research. J Neurol 2017; 264:979-988. [PMID: 28397002 PMCID: PMC5413526 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-017-8483-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most frequent muscular dystrophy worldwide with complex, multi-systemic, and progressively worsening symptoms. There is currently no treatment for this inherited disorder and research can be challenging due to the rarity and variability of the disease. The UK Myotonic Dystrophy Patient Registry is a patient self-enrolling online database collecting clinical and genetic information. For this cross-sectional “snapshot” analysis, 556 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DM1 registered between May 2012 and July 2016 were included. An almost even distribution was seen between genders and a broad range of ages was present from 8 months to 78 years, with the largest proportion between 30 and 59 years. The two most frequent symptoms were fatigue and myotonia, reported by 79 and 78% of patients, respectively. The severity of myotonia correlated with the severity of fatigue as well as mobility impairment, and dysphagia occurred mostly in patients also reporting myotonia. Men reported significantly more frequent severe myotonia, whereas severe fatigue was more frequently reported by women. Cardiac abnormalities were diagnosed in 48% of patients and more than one-third of them needed a cardiac implant. Fifteen percent of patients used a non-invasive ventilation and cataracts were removed in 26% of patients, 65% of which before the age of 50 years. The registry’s primary aim was to facilitate and accelerate clinical research. However, these data also allow us to formulate questions for hypothesis-driven research that may lead to improvements in care and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libby Wood
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Isabell Cordts
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Antonio Atalaia
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Chiara Marini-Bettolo
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paul Maddison
- Department of Neurology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Margaret Phillips
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK
| | - Mark Roberts
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
| | - Mark Rogers
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Simon Hammans
- Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Volker Straub
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Richard Petty
- Department of Neurology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard Orrell
- Department of Neurology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Darren G Monckton
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Nikoletta Nikolenko
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Aura Cecilia Jimenez-Moreno
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachel Thompson
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Chris Turner
- UCL MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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47
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Farrar MA, Park SB, Vucic S, Carey KA, Turner BJ, Gillingwater TH, Swoboda KJ, Kiernan MC. Emerging therapies and challenges in spinal muscular atrophy. Ann Neurol 2017; 81:355-368. [PMID: 28026041 PMCID: PMC5396275 DOI: 10.1002/ana.24864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease with severity ranging from progressive infantile paralysis and premature death (type I) to limited motor neuron loss and normal life expectancy (type IV). Without disease‐modifying therapies, the impact is profound for patients and their families. Improved understanding of the molecular basis of SMA, disease pathogenesis, natural history, and recognition of the impact of standardized care on outcomes has yielded progress toward the development of novel therapeutic strategies and are summarized. Therapeutic strategies in the pipeline are appraised, ranging from SMN1 gene replacement to modulation of SMN2 encoded transcripts, to neuroprotection, to an expanding repertoire of peripheral targets, including muscle. With the advent of preliminary trial data, it can be reasonably anticipated that the SMA treatment landscape will transform significantly. Advancement in presymptomatic diagnosis and screening programs will be critical, with pilot newborn screening studies underway to facilitate preclinical diagnosis. The development of disease‐modifying therapies will necessitate monitoring programs to determine the long‐term impact, careful evaluation of combined treatments, and further acceleration of improvements in supportive care. In advance of upcoming clinical trial results, we consider the challenges and controversies related to the implementation of novel therapies for all patients and set the scene as the field prepares to enter an era of novel therapies. Ann Neurol 2017;81:355–368
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Farrar
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanna B Park
- Brain & Mind Centre and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital and Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kate A Carey
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburg, Edinburg, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J Swoboda
- Center for Human Genetics Research, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain & Mind Centre and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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48
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Palomino MA, Castiglioni C. ATROFIA MUSCULAR ESPINAL: MANEJO RESPIRATORIO EN LA PERSPECTIVA DE LOS RECIENTES AVANCES TERAPÉUTICOS. Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rmclc.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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49
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Thompson R, Robertson A, Lochmüller H. Natural History, Trial Readiness and Gene Discovery: Advances in Patient Registries for Neuromuscular Disease. Adv Exp Med Biol 2017; 1031:97-124. [PMID: 29214567 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-67144-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Inherited neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are genetic disorders that affect the skeletal muscles or the nerves controlling muscle function. With a new generation of diagnostic options and recent advances in translational research improving the opportunities for therapy development for these rare conditions, capturing patient information in databases collecting a range of clinical and genetic data together with contact details has assumed an increasingly important role in trial planning and recruitment as well as natural history data collection. Here we provide an overview of a decade of patient registration activities in the NMD field, with a particular focus on patient registries set up with trial readiness in mind. A summary is provided of databases collecting precise genetic information focused on confirming the causative mutation and their evolution into registries that combine genetic data with additional clinical information useful for trial feasibility and recruitment. Use of these systems for a range of purposes beyond trial recruitment, including natural history assessment, care standards monitoring, genotype-phenotype correlation and disease burden evaluation is also described within the context of research networks (TREAT-NMD) and European Reference Networks (ERN-EURO-NMD). New initiatives including registries using controlled vocabularies for computational accessibility that focus on phenotypic data capture for gene discovery are analysed, and examples of the lessons learned at every stage are provided in order to allow new patient registration initiatives to benefit from the extensive experience gained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Thompson
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Agata Robertson
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK.
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50
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Lövgren M, Sejersen T, Kreicbergs U. Information and treatment decisions in severe spinal muscular atrophy: A parental follow-up. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2016; 20:830-838. [PMID: 27601065 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The parents of children with severe spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) face difficult ethical decisions regarding their child's treatment. This study explored the experience of parents of children with severe SMA concerning information and treatment decisions. MATERIAL AND METHODS This nationwide survey, conducted in 2013, is based on parents of children who were born in Sweden between 2000 and 2010 and later diagnosed with SMA type I or II where respiratory support was considered the first year of life (N = 61, participation rate: 87%). The survey involved parents' perception of the child's care and the questions used in this study covered information given and treatment decisions. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS None of the parents reported that the health care professionals made decisions concerning the child's treatment without informing them first, and 80% reported feeling confident about the decisions made. Of the bereaved parents, 11/48 (23%) reported that they got no information about respiratory support, compared to 2/13 (15%) of non-bereaved. Bereaved parents were more likely to report being satisfied with and understanding the information given about the illness and its treatment than non-bereaved parents. CONCLUSION All parents reported having been informed before treatment decisions were made and a vast majority reported feeling confident about the decisions. However, a quarter of the parents declined to have received information about respiratory support, which indicates that the parents did not sufficiently understand the available respiratory treatment options, and that their children may not receive the kind of care that is recommended in guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lövgren
- Ersta Sköndal University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Box 11189, 100 61 Stockholm, Sweden; The Department of Women's and Children's Health, Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, SE-177 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thomas Sejersen
- The Department of Women's and Children's Health, Paediatric Neurology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, SE-177 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- Ersta Sköndal University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Box 11189, 100 61 Stockholm, Sweden; The Department of Women's and Children's Health, Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, SE-177 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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