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Muscular Dystrophy, Oculopharyngeal
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Muscular Dystrophy, Oculopharyngealis not the name you expected.
Synonyms
- Muscular dystrophy, Oculopharyngeal
- OPMD
- Autosomal Dominant OPMD
- Autosomal Recessive OPMD
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a rare genetic muscle disorder with onset during adulthood most often between 40 and 60 years of age. OPMD is characterized by slowly progressive muscle disease (myopathy) affecting the muscles of the upper eyelids and the throat. Affected individuals may develop drooping of the eyelids (ptosis), double vision (diplopia) and/or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Eventually, additional muscles may become involved including those of the upper legs and arms (proximal limb weakness). In some cases, muscle weakness of the legs may eventually cause difficulty walking. OPMD may be inherited as an autosomal dominant or recessive trait.
OPMD belongs to a group of rare genetic muscle disorders known as the muscular dystrophies. These disorders are characterized by weakness and atrophy of various voluntary muscles of the body. Approximately 30 different disorders make up the muscular dystrophies. The disorders affect different muscles and have different ages of onset, severity and inheritance patterns. Unlike OPMD, most forms of muscular dystrophy have onset during childhood or adolescence.
Resources
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains
NY
10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
800: (888)663-4637
Askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 E. Sunrise Dr
Tucson
AZ
85718
USA
Tel: (520)529-2000
Fax: (520)529-5300
800: (800)344-4863
mda@mdausa.org
http://www.mdausa.org
Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
7-11 Prescott Place
London
SW4 6BS
United Kingdom
info@muscular-dystrophy.org
http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda
MD
20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
800: (800)352-9424
braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Society for Muscular Dystrophy Information International
P.O. Box 4790
Bridgewater
Nova Scotia
B4V 2X6
Canada
Tel: 902-685-3961
Fax: 902-685-3962
smdi@auracom.com
http://users.auracom.com/smdi
European Alliance of Neuromuscular Disorders Associations
MDG Malta 4,
Gzira Road
Gzira
Intl
GAR 04
Malta
Tel: 00356 21 346688
Fax: 00356 21 318024
eamda@hotmail.com
http://www.eamda.net
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/10/2008
Copyright 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
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