Negative Smoking and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common hereditary male related disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. It is characterized by muscle weakness in early childhood, causing death before the age of 20 years. Neurobehavioral changes are common in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) had been reported in DMD patients. Tobacco smoking use is related later on to offspring behaviour. This study aims to assess the association of exposure to tobacco smoking and behavioural disorders in DMD patients. The present study was conducted on 15 patients who were confirmed to have DMD based on clinical features. SWAN scale (Strengths and Weakness of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Symptoms and Normal-Behaviours) was used for ADHD. Smoking questionnaire was done for all patients. Karyotyping was done for the patients to detect any chromosomal abnormalities. We found no statistical significance for negative smoking as a contributing factor for ADHD in DMD patients.