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Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterized by a typical pattern of muscle involvement, yet it encompasses a wide spectrum of phenotypes, including less common features that remain incompletely defined in the literature. While previous studies have highlighted this clinical variability, no consensus has been reached on how to classify uncommon manifestations, nor have specific predictors been identified. This study aims to describe these uncommon features and explore potential predictors, utilizing data from the French FSHD registry. To this end, we analysed data from 306 FSHD1 patients across nine French neuromuscular referral centres. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multiple logistic regression models were employed to examine uncommon characteristics and their predictors. Results Uncommon features were observed in 19.6% of cases. The most common was a discrepancy between disease severity and D4Z4 repeat unit (RU) count (41.7%), followed by predominant impairment at proximal lower limb or distal upper limb muscles (21.7%). Three unanticipated features emerged: isolated or predominant axial impairment, anosmia and atopic dermatitis. Univariate analysis revealed that uncommon features were associated with higher RU count (6.5 ± 2.1 vs. 5.8 ± 1.8 in typical patients) and older age of onset (32.0 ± 18.8 years vs. 25.0 ± 15.4 years). Such features were more prevalent in the borderline 8–10 RU range, an association confirmed by multivariate analysis (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.87). Later age of onset consistently emerged as a factor across multiple multivariate models. Conclusions This study documents uncommon FSHD features, revealing their association with the 8–10 RU range and later age of onset. These findings further support a complex interplay among genetic and epigenetic modifiers and ageing in shaping the clinical phenotype of FSHD, especially in patients carrying borderline D4Z4 arrays. Differential phenotypes, particularly in relation to RU range and age of onset, points to the importance of harmonized, comprehensive clinical and genetic assessments. Recognizing uncommon features may improve diagnostic accuracy and guide individualized management strategies, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to patient care.

Background Due to their health condition, patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are at greater risk of developing serious complications with COVID-19. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of COVID-19 among NMD patients and the risk factors for its impact and severity during the first wave of the pandemic. Clinical data were collected from NMD-COVID-19 patients, between March 25, 2020 and May 11, 2020 in an anonymous survey carried out by expert physicians from the French Health Care Network Filnemus. Results Physicians reported 84 patients, including: 34 with myasthenia gravis, 27 with myopathy and 23 with neuropathy. COVID-19 had no effect on NMD for 48 (58%) patients and 48 (58%) patients developed low COVID-19 severity. COVID-19 caused the death of 9 (11%) NMD patients. Diabetic patients were at greater risk of dying. Patients with diabetes, hypertension or severe forms of NMD had a higher risk of developing a moderate or severe form of COVID-19. In our cohort, corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants were not significantly associated with higher COVID-19 severity for acquired NMD. Conclusion During this period, a small percentage of French NMD patients was affected by COVID-19 compared to the general French population and COVID-19 had a limited short-term effect on them. Diabetes, hypertension and a severe degree of NMD were identified as risk factors of unfavorable outcome following COVID-19. Conversely, in our cohort of patients with acquired NMD, corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants did not appear to be risk factors for more severe COVID-19.

Pompe disease (PD) is caused by a deficiency of lysosomal acid α-glucosidase resulting from mutations in the GAA gene. The clinical spectrum ranges from a rapidly fatal multisystemic disorder (classic PD, onset < 1 year) to a milder adult onset myopathy. The aims of this study were to characterize the GAA mutations, to establish the disease epidemiology, and to identify potential genotype-phenotype correlations in French late-onset PD patients (onset ≥ 2 years) diagnosed since the 1970s. Data were collected from the two main laboratories involved in PD diagnosis and from the French Pompe registry. Two hundred forty-six patients (130 females and 116 males) were included, with a mean age at diagnosis of 43 years. Eighty-three different mutations were identified in the GAA gene, among which 28 were novel. These variants were spread all over the sequence and included 42 missense (one affecting start codon), 8 nonsense, 15 frameshift, 14 splice mutations, 3 small in-frame deletions, and one large deletion. The common c.-32-13T>G mutation was detected in 151/170 index cases. Other frequent mutations included the exon 18 deletion, the c.525del, and the missense mutations c.1927G>A (p.Gly643Arg) and c.655G>A (p.Gly219Arg). Patients carrying the c.-32-13T>G mutation had an older mean age at onset than patients non-exhibiting this mutation (36 versus 25 years). Patients with the same genotype had a highly variable age at onset. We estimated the frequency of late-onset PD in France around 1/69,927 newborns. In conclusion, we characterized the French cohort of late-onset PD patients through a nationwide study covering more than 40 years.

BackgroundTitinopathies are caused by mutations in the titin gene (TTN). Titin is the largest known human protein; its gene has the longest coding phase with 364 exons. Titinopathies are very complex neuromuscular pathologies due to the variable age of onset of symptoms, the great diversity of pathological and muscular impairment patterns (cardiac, skeletal muscle or mixed) and both autosomal dominant and recessive modes of transmission. Until now, only few CNVs in TTN have been reported without clear genotype–phenotype associations.MethodsOur study includes eight families with dominant titinopathies. We performed next-generation sequencing or comparative genomic hybridisation array analyses and found CNVs in the TTN gene. We characterised these CNVs by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analyses in six patients’ muscles and performed genotype–phenotype inheritance association study by combining the clinical and biological data of these eight families.ResultsSeven deletion-type CNVs in the TTN gene were identified among these families. Genotype and RNAseq results showed that five deletions do not alter the reading frame and one is out-of-reading frame. The main phenotype identified was distal myopathy associated with contractures. The analysis of morphological, clinical and genetic data and imaging let us draw new genotype–phenotype associations of titinopathies.ConclusionIdentifying TTN CNVs will further increase diagnostic sensitivity in these complex neuromuscular pathologies. Our cohort of patients enabled us to identify new deletion-type CNVs in the TTN gene, with unexpected autosomal dominant transmission. This is valuable in establishing new genotype–phenotype associations of titinopathies, mainly distal myopathy in most of the patients.

Otopalatodigital spectrum disorders (OPDSD) constitute a group of dominant X-linked osteochondrodysplasias including four syndromes: otopalatodigital syndromes type 1 and type 2 (OPD1 and OPD2), frontometaphyseal dysplasia, and Melnick-Needles syndrome. These syndromes variably associate specific facial and extremities features, hearing loss, cleft palate, skeletal dysplasia and several malformations, and show important clinical overlap over the different entities. FLNA gain-of-function mutations were identified in these conditions. FLNA encodes filamin A, a scaffolding actin-binding protein. Here, we report phenotypic descriptions and molecular results of FLNA analysis in a large series of 27 probands hypothesized to be affected by OPDSD. We identified 11 different missense mutations in 15 unrelated probands (n=15/27, 56%), of which seven were novel, including one of unknown significance. Segregation analyses within families made possible investigating 20 additional relatives carrying a mutation. This series allows refining the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of FLNA mutations causing OPDSD, and providing suggestions to avoid the overdiagnosis of OPD1.

Background and Objectives Mortality in Late‐Onset Pompe Disease (LOPD) has been associated with the rapid progression of respiratory and motor impairment. However, an in‐depth approach to the exact causes of death in these patients is still lacking. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the cause of death and the comorbidities of all deceased patients from the French Late‐Onset Pompe Disease registry. Results By the time of the last extraction, 60 patients diagnosed with LOPD and monitored were registered as deceased in the French national registry, out of a total of 260 patients included. The median age of death was 70.5 years, while the median age of diagnosis was 58 years. The causes of death were divided into disease‐related, accounting for 46.6% of deaths, and non‐disease‐related, comprising 28.3% of total deaths. Fifteen patients (25%) died of an unknown cause. The most frequent etiology of disease‐related death was respiratory failure (n = 14), while for the non‐disease‐related group, malignant neoplasm was the most common (n = 8). Patients in the non‐disease‐related death group had significantly higher forced vital capacity (FVC) values compared to those in the disease‐related death group (54.7% vs. 38%). Treatment‐wise, the median period elapsed from diagnosis to ERT introduction was higher in the disease‐related group. Discussion This is the first study to focus on the specific causes of death of LOPD patients. The majority of the LOPD deaths in the French registry were attributed to respiratory failure and malignant neoplasms.

Background Diagnostic wandering and impasse are major challenges for rare disease management. This study describes the characteristics of patients with rare neuromuscular diseases (RNMDs) without a diagnosis being managed by the French national network for RNMDs (FILNEMUS). Methods Data for RNMD patients managed by FILNEMUS centers between January 2017 and November 2022 were extracted from the French National Rare Disease Database (BNDMR). A network‐wide, standardized, and quality‐controlled process was established to collect additional data for patients without a diagnosis. The demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of these patients were then compared with patients with a confirmed diagnosis. Results 13.5% of patients evaluated (n = 5696/42,256) had no confirmed diagnosis. Comparison with 25,682 managed in the same centers and during the same periods with a confirmed diagnosis revealed that socioeconomic characteristics and region of residence did not influence diagnostic status. However, lack of a confirmed diagnosis was more common in patients aged > 50 years, and older patients had longer periods between first symptom onset and first interaction with an expert center. Evaluation of medical records identified eight RNMDs associated with increased risk of diagnostic wandering and impasse. Conclusions The FILNEMUS national network of expert centers has enabled equality of care for RNMD patients across France, but further measures are needed to promote more rapid referral to these centers, reduce times to first consultation, and maintain patient engagement in the diagnostic process, particularly for later‐onset RNMDs. Between 2017 and 2022, 13.5% of the 42,256 FILNEMUS patients (n = 5696) still lacked a confirmed diagnosis. Socio‐economic status and postcode are off the hook, but crossing the 50‐year mark sharply lengthens the gap between first symptoms and expert evaluation. Eight neuromuscular diseases top the “whodunnit” list, highlighting the need for nimbler diagnostic pathways especially for the silver‐haired sleuths among us.

Background Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients benefit from pre-mRNA splicing modifiers targeting the SMN2 gene, which aims to increase functional SMN production. The animal toxicity affecting spermatogenesis associated with one such treatment raised questions about male SMA patients’ spermatogenesis. Methods This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2023. The study involved adult male patients with genetically confirmed SMA type 2 (SMA2) or SMA3 from 13 French neuromuscular centers. The patients’ general data, motor severity, urological history, exposure to certain factors, parenthood, and spermogram results were obtained. All patients were enrolled prior to exposure to risdiplam. Findings Sixty-eight patients were enrolled ( 36 SMA2 and 32 SMA3 patients). Forty-one patients had fertility data (parenthood history and spermogram analyses) and underwent 33 spermograms. Fertility disorders were identified in 27 of the 41 patients (65·9%, 95%CI 51·3–80·4%) in particular SMA2 patients: 19 cases (90 . 5%, CI 77·9–100%) (SMA3: 8 cases (40%, CI 18·5–61·5%). Among the patients with available spermograms, 81% (27/33) had abnormal sperm concentration; 30% presented azoospermia. These abnormalities were significantly associated with SMA type (more prevalent in SMA2 patients, p  < 0·001), disease motor severity, which included age at the loss of walking ability and wheelchair use duration ( p  < 0·001). The Motor Function Measure (MFM) determined that the sperm counts were also correlated with disease severity ( p  < 0·01). Interpretation The fertility disorders were correlated with SMA severity and were particularly evident in SMA2 patients. In the latter, sperm concentration positively correlated with MFM. This study is the first one to link fertility disorders with spermogram abnormalities in SMA males. Understanding spermatogenesis in SMA is crucial, especially with new therapies such as risdiplam. Consequently, conducting systematic spermogram studies prior to SMA treatment is recommended.

Motor neuron disorders comprise a clinically and pathologically heterogeneous group of neurologic diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons (including both sporadic and hereditary diseases), affecting the upper motor neurons, lower motor neurons, or both. Hereditary motor neuron disorders themselves represent a vast and heterogeneous group, with numerous clinical and genetic overlaps that can be a source of error. This narrative review aims at providing an overview of the main types of inherited motor neuron disorders by recounting the stages in their historical descriptions. For practical purposes, this review of the literature sets out their various clinical characteristics and updates the list of all the genes involved in the various forms of inherited motor neuron disorders, including spinal muscular atrophy, familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia, distal hereditary motor neuropathies/neuronopathies, Kennedy’s disease, riboflavin transporter deficiencies, VCPopathy and the neurogenic scapuloperoneal syndrome.

Ataxia is a frequent symptom in neurological cases with many causes. Sensory ataxia (due to involvement of the proprioceptive pathways) is observed in conditions affecting the central nervous system (spinal cord disorder) and the peripheral nervous system (peripheral neuropathy). The latter correspond to what we refer to as ‘ataxic neuropathies’. Ataxic neuropathies represent a wide and heterogeneous spectrum of disorders that may affect dorsal root nerves, dorsal root ganglia, nerve trunks, distal nerve endings or all of them together. The identification of a predominant sensory ataxia in a case of peripheral neuropathy should raise the possibility of some specific etiologies. We propose here to present the main causes of ataxic neuropathies, which are identified with diagnostic workflows that are dictated by the topography of the likely sites of lesions in the proprioceptive pathway together with the timing of their occurrence (acute, subacute, or chronic).