Neuromuscular diseases: health care accessibility in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.

A survey was conducted to estimate accessibility to current diagnostic tech niques for patients with neuromuscular disease living in the Nord-Pas-de-Ca lais. In association with the "Association francaise contre les myopathies' : we invited 200 adults with neuromuscular disease to fill out a questionna ire concerning diagnosis of their neuromuscular disease and medical and par amedical follow-up. Each subject answered the questionnaire anonymously pro viding data on sociodemographic items, diagnosis and medical and paramedica l follow-up. The results showed a lack of follow-up for lung disease whereas respiratory failure is known as a frequent complication of neuromuscular disease. Gene tic counselling was not suggested often enough. A large proportion (80 p. 1 00) of the patients had had physiotherapy. Whereas cardiomyopathy and ortho pedic buckling with subsequent decreased autonomy are observed in 90 p. 100 of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, only 42 p. 100 of the patien ts with this disease were followed by a cardiologist and a physical therapi sts. We suggest more cooperation between specialists in order to improve me dical care for patients with neuromuscular diseases.