The symptoms of an individual with limb–girdle muscular dystrophy generally are great difficulty walking, going both up and down stairs, and rising from a chair. The inability to bend over or squat down is also present. Because of these difficulties, falling can occur frequently. Lifting certain objects, as well as difficulty extending the arms out or above the head, varies from difficult to impossible depending on the severity. Eventually, the abilities to walk and run deteriorate. Further presentations an individual with LGMD might have are: The disease inevitably gets worse over time, although progression is more rapid in some patients than others. Eventually the disease can affect other muscles such as the ones located in the face. The disease commonly leads to dependence on a wheelchair within years of symptom onset, but there is high inter-patient variability, with some patients maintaining mobility. The muscle weakness is generally symmetric, proximal, and slowly progressive. In most cases, pain is not present with LGMD, and mental function is not affected. LGMD can begin in childhood, adolescence, young adulthood or even later, the age of onset is usually between 10 and 30. Both genders are affected equally, when limb-girdle muscular dystrophy begins in childhood the progression appears to be faster and the disease more disabling. When the disorder begins in adolescence or adulthood the disease is generally not as severe and progresses more slowly. There is no sensory neuropathy or autonomic or visceral dysfunction at presentation.
Genetics
In terms of the genetics LGMD is an inherited disorder, though it may be inherited as a dominant or recessivegenetic defect. The result of the defect is that the muscles cannot properly form certain proteins needed for normal muscle function. Several different proteins can be affected, and the specific protein that is absent or defective identifies the specific type of muscular dystrophy. Among the proteins affected in LGMD are α, β, γ and δ sarcoglycans. The sarcoglycanopathies could be possibly amenable to gene therapy.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of limb–girdle muscular dystrophy can be done via muscle biopsy, which will show the presence of muscular dystrophy, and genetic testing is used to determine which type of muscular dystrophy a patient has. Immunohistochemical dystrophin tests can indicate a decrease in dystrophin detected in sarcoglycanopathies. In terms of sarcoglycan deficiency there can be variance. The 2014 Evidence-based guideline summary: Diagnosis and treatment of limb–girdle and distal dystrophies indicates that individuals suspected of having the inherited disorder should have genetic testing. Other tests/analysis are:
The "LGMD1" family is autosomal dominant, and the "LGMD2" family is autosomal recessive. Limb–girdle muscular dystrophy is explained in terms of gene, locus, OMIM and type as follows:
Treatment
There are few studies corroborating the effectiveness of exercise for limb–girdle muscular dystrophy. However studies have shown that exercise can, in fact, damage muscles permanently due to intense muscle contraction. Physical therapy may be required to maintain as much muscle strength and joint flexibility as possible. Calipers may be used to maintain mobility and quality of life. Careful attention to lung and heart health is required, corticosteroids in LGMD 2C-F individuals, shows some improvement. Additionally individuals can follow management that follows:
Neutralizing antibody to myostatin should not be pursued
In terms of the prognosis of limb–girdle muscular dystrophy in its mildest form, affected individuals have near-normal muscle strength and function. LGMD isn't typically a fatal disease, though it may eventually weaken the heart and respiratory muscles, leading to illness or death due to secondary disorders. The frequency of limb–girdle muscular dystrophy ranges from 1 in 14,500.
Research
There is a variety of research under way targeted at various forms of limb–girdle muscular dystrophy. Among the methods thought to hold promise for treatment include gene transfer therapy, which works by inserting in cells of defective genes with a healthy gene. According to a review by Bengtsson et al. some success with AAV-mediated gene therapies have increased interest in researchers, with CRISPR/Cas9 and exon-skipping helping these therapeutic goals along. Limb–girdle muscular dystrophies have many different types which are due to different gene mutations. LGMD2D is caused by a mutation in the α-sarcoglycan gene. Future treatment could be had by gene therapy through recombinant adeno-associated vectors. Conversely, according to a review by Straub, et al. there are several research issues that need to be targeted, the rareness of the disease, our poor understanding of the mechanism of LGMD2, and absence of patient cohorts, consequently biomarkers for individuals with LGMD2 are lacking. The review goes on to state that animal models for LGMD2 have been used to analyse therapeutic medications. Also adding that while prednisone has been used and has had positive effects on affected LGMD2 individuals there is still no evidence of its effectiveness in trials that are placebo-controlled.
