A systematic review of the frequency of sleep evaluations, sleep disorders, and treatments among individuals with muscular dystrophy.

PURPOSE: Review literature on the frequency of sleep disorders and receipt of sleep-related healthcare among individuals with muscular dystrophy.

METHODS

Included: Population-Duchenne/Becker (DBMD), congenital (CMD), facioscapulohumeral (FSHD), limb-girdle (LGMD), or myotonic (DM) muscular dystrophy; Outcomes-frequency of sleep evaluations, disorders, or treatments; Language-English; Study type-original research, systematic review. Excluded: Sample <10, duplicate reports.

INFORMATION SOURCES: PubMed and EBSCO, last searched March 7, 2023. Risk of bias assessment : Recruitment source or study inclusion selected for or against sleep symptoms or disorders.

SYNTHESIS: Range and weighted average (low risk studies only) of outcome.

RESULTS

We included 95 studies of sleep evaluations (7), disorders (94) or treatments (13) with a total of 7,964 participants. Studies reported on DM-61, DBMD-20, FSHD-9, CMD-1, LGMD-1, and multiple MD-3. One-half of people with DBMD (51%, 2 studies, 85 individuals) and over 60% of people with DM1 (65%, 2 studies, 327 individuals) had a sleep study. Measured by questionnaire, excessive daytime sleepiness frequency among adults with DM was 39% (DM2, 10, 284) to 65% (any DM, 6, 1195), 9% among controls (5, 199), and 6% to 13% among other MDs. Sleep apnea frequency was 11% (LGMD, 1, 18) to 65% (CMD, 1, 20). Assisted ventilation use was 5%-16% (DM).

CONCLUSIONS

Regular sleep evaluations may improve identification and treatment of sleep disorders and the physical and mental health of individuals with MD.

OTHER: Funding-US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not registered.