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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Timothy Cheetham, Dr Claire Wood
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2024 The Author(s). Muscle & Nerve published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Introduction/Aims: Recent clinical guidelines recommend that adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who are on daily glucocorticoid treatment should be offered pubertal induction in order to ensure adult levels of sex hormones as they reach adulthood. However, it remains unclear how gonadal status, including androgen concentrations, impacts physical function and future fertility. The aim of this study was to give a voice to adults with DMD, exploring their perspectives around sexual health, hormone treatment, and fertility. Methods: Qualitative data was collected from six adults with DMD through two online focus groups. Participants were recruited through Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and Duchenne UK and invited to take part if they had DMD and were 18 years of age or older. Conversations were transcribed verbatim and an interpretivist paradigm was used with thematic analysis. Results: The main themes identified were (1) the need for communication and information about sexual health, (2) dealing with the potential fear of rejection, (3) physical barriers to relationships including sex, (4) testosterone supplementation in DMD, and (5) parenthood and fertility. Discussion: We recommend that clinicians work with young people with DMD individually, to explore the benefits of testosterone treatment for them and their personal sexual health needs. If they are offered treatment, this should always be accompanied by the opportunity for psychological support. This work highlights the need for further research to establish the role of testosterone supplementation in adults with DMD and its effects on fertility and the value of specific emotional and practical support for sexual health.
Author(s): Hoskin J, Cheetham TD, Mitchell RT, Choong WS, Wood CL
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Muscle and Nerve
Year: 2024
Pages: epub ahead of print
Online publication date: 11/07/2024
Acceptance date: 29/06/2024
Date deposited: 23/07/2024
ISSN (print): 0148-639X
ISSN (electronic): 1097-4598
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc
URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.28201
DOI: 10.1002/mus.28201
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