ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intelligence scores in males with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) remain a major issue in clinical practice. We performed a literature review and meta-analysis to further delineate the intellectual functioning of dystrophinopathies. METHOD: Published, peer-reviewed articles assessing intelligence, using Wechsler Scales, of males with DMD or BMD were searched from 1960 to 2022. Meta-analysis with random-effects models was conducted, assessing weighted, mean effect sizes of full-scale IQ (FSIQ) scores relative to normative data (Mean = 100, Standard Deviation = 15). Post hoc we analysed differences between performance and verbal intelligence scores. RESULTS: 43 studies were included, reporting data on 1472 males with dystrophinopathies; with FSIQ scores available for 1234 DMD (k = 32) and 101 BMD (k = 7). DMD males score, on average, one standard deviation below average (FSIQ = 84.76) and significantly lower than BMD (FSIQ = 92.11). Compared to a previous meta-analysis published in 2001, we find, on average, significantly higher FSIQ scores in DMD. CONCLUSION: Males with Duchenne have, on average, significantly lower FSIQ scores than BMD males and the general population. Clinicians must consider lower intelligence in dystrophinopathies to ensure good clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to establish the psychometric properties and clinical utility of the Personal Adjustment and Role Skills Scale (PARS-III) for assessing psychosocial adjustment in males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: The parents of 287 male patients with DMD aged 5-18 years completed the PARS-III and Revised Rutter Scale. RESULTS: The alpha coefficients and factor analysis indicated good reliability and validity. Overall psychosocial adjustment was not significantly different in DMD compared to males with other chronic medical conditions and was positively associated with increases in age. A clinical cutoff score for screening in the DMD population is also reported. CONCLUSIONS: The PARS-III is a reliable and valid index of youth psychosocial adjustment in DMD and can be used for both clinical screening and research purposes.
