Consensus Statement on the Management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Saudi Arabia During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Frontiers in Pediatrics

article

Ahmed K. Bamaga¹  Tahani Ahmed Jamaly³  Mohammad A. Al-Muhaizea⁴  Abdulaziz Al-Saman⁵  Fouad Alghamdi⁶  Nahla Alshaikh⁷  Waleed Altwaijri^1,10  Fahad A. Bashiri^1,12  Khalid Hundallah⁴  Musaad Abukhaled^1,14  Osama Y. Muthaffar¹  Sameer Al-Mehmadi^1,15 

[1] Neurology Division, Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University;Pediatric Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center;Children Health Center, International Medical Center;Prince Sultan Military Medical City;Pediatric Neurology Department, National Neuroscience Institute;King Fahad Specialist Hospital;Pediatric Department, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs;College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences;King Abdullah International Medical Research Center;Pediatric Department, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University;Pediatric Department, King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital;Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University;Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, King Saud University Medical City;Department of Neuroscience, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University;Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital

关键词: COVID-19;    Duchenne muscular dystrophy;    consensus;    telemedicine;    virtual clinic;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fped.2021.629549

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused overwhelming challenges in healthcare worldwide. During such an outbreak, some needs of high-risk groups who require regular follow-ups and long-term management are not met. The vulnerable populations include patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Duchenne muscular dystrophy is characterized by respiratory complications caused by muscle weakness. Hence, patients with this condition are at high risk of severe diseases including COVID-19. Methods: To standardize care and provide optimal treatment to DMD patients in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic, a panel of experts including neurologists and pediatricians consolidated recommendations for healthcare professionals and caregivers. Results: During this pandemic, substituting unnecessary clinic visits with virtual clinic services was highly recommended, if possible, without compromising clinical outcomes. Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with respiratory complications should be closely monitored, and those with cardiovascular complications must continue taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Moreover, individualized home-based rehabilitation management was preferred. Glucocorticoid and new gene correction therapies should be continued. However, new gene correction therapy must be post-poned in newly diagnosed patients. A multidisciplinary decision was required before the initiation of hydroxychloroquine based on the COVID-19 treatment protocol. Conclusion: COVID-19 has caused challenges and transformed access to health care. However, these limitations have provided opportunities for the health care system to adapt. Further, telemedicine has become a reliable platform for follow-up appointments that should be conducted by a multidisciplinary team including physicians, dieticians, and physical therapists.

【 授权许可】

CC BY