Pregressive muscular dystrophy is a primary progressive degeneration of the striated muscle of unknown etiology, not curable but should be treated. The purpose of this paper is to review the rate of natural progression according to the functional ability as related to age. 43 patients were evaluated with 29 cases of Duchenne type, 3 Becker type, 7 facioscapulohumeral and 4 limb-girdle types. The results of the study showed that the rate of progress is faster than the report of Swinyard and Greenspan in Duchenne type. But no difference in other 3 types. 50% of Duchenne type has developed achilles tendon contractures while they are still in active functional ambulatory stage (functional stage 2), and the level of physical dysfunctioning is rapidly degraded. No patient was given hospital care or supervised exercises and no one was provided with mobility devices or sugical intervention. The results of these studies should be considered the factors related in our psychosocio-cultural background. Parents conseling and active patient care should be focused effectively in rehabilitation program. The total management of the patient and family requires attention to psychosocial care and educational needs, especially in the rapidly progressive type such as Duchenne dystrophy. |