Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a Survey of Perspectives on Carrier Testing and Communication Within the Family

Empowerment of genetic information by women at-risk of being carriers of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies

The emergence of therapies acting on specific molecular targets for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DBMD) led to expanded access of diagnostic DMD analysis. However, it is unclear how much of these advances have also improved healthcare and access to genetic testing for women at-risk of being carriers. This study evaluates the process of genetic counseling and empowerment of genetic information by women from DBMD families. We carried out a cross-sectional study between February and June 2022 in Brazil. The online survey with items regarding sociodemographic data; family history; access to health services; reproductive decisions; and the Genomic Outcome Scale was answered by 123 women recruited from a rare diseases reference service and a nationwide patient advocacy group. Genetic counseling was reported by 77/123 (62.6%) of women and 53.7% reported having performed genetic analysis of DMD. Although the majority knew about the risks for carriers of developing heart disease and muscle weakness, only 35% of potential carriers have had cardiac studies performed at least once in their lives. Country region, type of kinship, number of affected males in the family, age, notion of genetic risk, education level, and participation in advocacy groups were the main factors associated with adequate healthcare access to women and empowerment of genetic information. Education to health professionals and policies to expand access to carrier genetic testing, whether public policies or regulation of pharmaceutical companies' diagnostic programs, is paramount to improve the care of families with DBMD in Brazil.

A systematic review and qualitative synthesis of the experiences of parents of individuals living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

PURPOSE

Some parents of children with DMD find their role challenging, affecting quality of life. To inform support methods, we aimed to understand the lived experiences of parents and how these interact with disease progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PRISMA informed protocol development. Qualitative and mixed methods studies were included. Four databases were searched and study quality was assessed using a standardised measure. Extracted data were analysed using thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

26 studies were included, comprising 362 parents. Seven descriptive themes were apparent: "Diagnostic Experiences", "Coping with the Caregiver Role", "Illness Trajectory and Associated Interventions", "Family Communication", "Network of Support", "Navigating Systems" and "Transition Experiences". Four analytical themes were then derived: "The Cyclical Nature of Grief", "Lifelong Expert in the Needs and Experiences of an Individual with DMD", "Navigating Deviation from Typical Life Course" and "Uncertainty as Ever Present".

CONCLUSION

The extant evidence suggests that the experience of parenting a child with DMD is often characterised by: a cycle of grief that begins at diagnosis, which runs parallel to the development of expertise in caregiving; within this parents notice deviations from their child's and their own expected life course and adjust to the emotions and uncertainty that this can bring.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONProfessionals should be cognisant to the complex grief process associated with DMD, which occurs from diagnosis onwards.There should be continued support for parents following bereavement.Peer support groups may also offer parents ways to maintain well-being.The necessity for parents to function effectively within an uncertain context that induces challenging emotions suggests a role for psychological therapies.

Family genetic result communication in rare and undiagnosed disease communities: Understanding the practice

Genetic results have implications not only for the individual, but also for their family members. Research on family communication of genetic results has primarily focused on families affected by adult-onset, dominant conditions as well as more common genetic conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, cardiomyopathies, and genetic hearing loss. This study therefore aimed to characterize genetic result communication in families with rare and undiagnosed conditions and identify factors that influence communication. One hundred and forty-two individuals who received a diagnosis from the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN), a study focused on providing diagnoses to individuals with undiagnosed conditions, were eligible to complete a survey assessing genetic results communication. Survey items assessed if communication was discussed with healthcare providers, with whom participants communicated genetic testing, why they chose to communicate with these family members, and what information they communicated. All respondents (5 adult UDN participants, 38 parents/guardians of UDN participants, and 2 identifying as both) shared genetic results with at least one family member. Individuals who identified as both were considered exclusively adult participants for the purpose of these analyses. Adult participants and parents/guardians of participants reported high levels of understanding (96%), utility (96%), and comfort communicating genetic results (89%). Additionally, parents/guardians were more likely to disclose genetic results due to a general desire to share (60% of parents/guardians vs. 14% adult participants), while adult participants reported that they shared results to communicate risk to family members (86% of adult participants vs. 24% of parents/guardians). Many respondents did not recall discussing with a healthcare provider how (64%) or what (42%) to communicate about results. The results of this study provide insight into the practice of result communication by individuals with rare and previously undiagnosed conditions, which can ideally inform development of more effective counseling strategies and guidelines to aid family communication.

Communication about spinal muscular atrophy and genetic risk within families: An Australian pilot study

AIM

In families with a child diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), siblings who do not have SMA could still be genetic carriers of the condition. This study is the first to explore how siblings of patients with SMA learn about the condition and their genetic risk.

METHOD

In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with several parents and unaffected siblings of people with SMA types II and III in Australia. Thematic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Siblings described learning about SMA gradually over time through conversations with their parents and other sources, including the Internet, biology classes and support groups. Parents and unaffected siblings described challenges in family communication due to the emotional intensity associated with having SMA in the family. Most siblings did not report learning from their family how the inheritance of SMA related to their own genetic carrier risk and possible reproductive implications.

CONCLUSION

Siblings described their parents as being open and honest in communicating about SMA; however, this study found that communication before the age of understanding abstract concepts, in combination with the emotional intensity of SMA, resulted in gaps in knowledge about SMA.

Medical Attitudes Survey for Female Dystrophinopathy Carriers in Japan

Objective This study attempted to clarify the current status of female dystrophinopathy carriers, including the numbers of patients, the status of genetic screening, the status of counseling, physicians' understanding, and barriers to registration. Methods We sent out questionnaires to 402 physicians registered in the Remudy dystrophinopathy registry. The total number of responses received was 130 (response rate: 32%). Result In total, 1,212 cases of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 365 cases of Becker muscular dystrophy, and 132 cases of female dystrophinopathy with a confirmed genetic mutation were encountered, and genetic testing was performed in the mother in 137, 23, and 12 cases, respectively. With respect to the risk of the onset of health problems, 25% of physicians always explained, 29% usually explained, 29% sometimes explained, and 13% never explained the risk to the mothers and female siblings of dystrophinopathy patients. The most common reason for not explaining the risk was a lack of knowledge/information. Thirty-five percent were familiar with the guidelines for testing the heart function of carriers. Conclusion Fewer mothers of dystrophinopathy patients have undergone genetic testing in Japan than in other countries. A significant portion of doctors did not explain the risks of health problems due to a lack of knowledge. We hope this survey will lead to an increased discussion of female dystrophinopathy patients.

Experiences of Women Who Have Had Carrier Testing for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Becker Muscular Dystrophy During Adolescence

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are X-linked recessive degenerative muscular conditions. Carrier testing is available to at-risk females. Though carrier testing is often offered to adolescent females, it raises ethical issues related to autonomy. This study aimed to address the impact of DMD/BMD carrier testing during adolescence, to elucidate what motivates adolescents to seek testing, and to assess the carrier testing experience. Retrospective semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 12 women out of 28 initially contacted. Data were coded using thematic analysis. For most (8/12) participants, discovering their carrier status during adolescence appeared to have helped alleviate uncertainty. The majority (9/12) of participants felt that they had made an autonomous decision and most (10/12) seemed to have adjusted well to their test result. Reproductive factors were framed as having been a key motivator prior to testing. However, following testing, participants’ views on prenatal diagnosis seemed more closely linked to their lived experience than to their test result. Just over half (7/12) the participants reported having not had the opportunity for genetic counseling prior to testing and after receiving their result, an issue that warrants further consideration.

Knowledge of carrier status and barriers to testing among mothers of sons with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy

Our study objective was to survey female carriers for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy to identify barriers to carrier testing and the impact of carrier risk knowledge on cardiac and reproductive health management. We surveyed women who have or had biological sons with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy and were enrolled in the US DuchenneConnect patient registry, with questions assessing knowledge of carrier status and recurrence risk, knowledge of care standards for carriers, and barriers to testing. Of the 182 eligible respondents, 25% did not know their carrier status and 14% incorrectly classified themselves as not at risk. Cost of testing was the most commonly identified barrier to testing. Women reporting unknown carrier status were 13 times as likely to express uncertainty regarding their recurrence risk compared to women reporting positive carrier status. 37% of women at an increased risk for cardiomyopathy had never had an echocardiogram. Women who were certain of their positive carrier status were twice as likely to have had an echocardiogram in the last five years compared to women with unknown carrier status. Future research on reducing barriers to counseling and carrier testing, such as cost, may improve care standard adherence.