State-of-the-Art Care and Treatment of the Patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Now and in the Future- Clinicians caring for individuals with such neuromuscular diseases as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) may have difficulty remaining current with the evolving standards of care. In addition to DMD, there are more than 90 diseases classified among the inherited neuromuscular disorders, all of them rare. Perhaps because of this complexity, there remains a variability in care across the country even for DMD, the most common disorder. Current management approaches rely heavily on corticosteroids and nonpharmacologic interventions, such as physical therapy. As new therapies become possible, the neuromuscular clinician must have a sound working knowledge of the molecular basis for DMD in order to advise families about potential treatments or clinical trials. Furthermore, the anticipated availability of new therapies will have a substantial impact on treatment strategies and should provide the incentive for expanded, earlier genetic testing leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. More intensive disease monitoring and cardiac care for the patient with DMD may best be done using protocol-driven interventions so that boys with DMD may remain ambulatory and live longer. In this CME activity, experts in the care of the patient with DMD will discuss state-of-the-art approaches to genetic testing, baseline testing for the patient first presenting with DMD, optimizing the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of the patient with DMD, investigational agents on the horizon and potential clinical applications, and best cardiac care for the patient with DMD. Explain current diagnostic approaches to DMD, including DNA testing, laboratory studies, and histologic findings. Describe best practices for baseline clinical testing of patients with DMD in the neuromuscular clinic which may guide both treatment and trial participation. Describe corticosteroid guidelines including treatment regimens, age of treatment, and side effects. Discuss investigational therapies under development for DMD and the potential for integrating different mechanisms of action into treatment strategies. Provide an update on gene therapy and stem cell therapy. Review best practices for cardiac care of boys and men with DMD.
2.0 Free CEUs for Nurses
Expires 11/30/16