DISABILITY AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MUSCULAR-DYSTROPHY

In the county of Orebro, Sweden, 32 individuals with myotonic disorder s and 25 with other types of muscular dystrophy mere examined. Disabil ity was assessed with functional tests and standardized observations o f muscle function (mainly based on those proposed by Dr. Brooke), a ne w self-administered questionnaire regarding the Activities of Daily Li ving (ADL) and the ADL staircase (based on Katz ADL index). The result s of the different tests of disability mere highly correlated. The Sic kness Impact Profile and the Kaasa test were used for assessing the qu ality of life, and no significant differences were found between the g roups of muscular dystrophy. In an explanatory factor analysis three m ain factors of disability were found. The factors ''walk and move'' an d ''finger function'' mere fair to good associated with the quality of life. This study offers an approach for research on the consequences of muscular dystrophy using established as well as new methods.