MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY THE BURDEN FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR PARTNERS

Objective Dystiophia myotonica is characterized by progressive muscular weakness myotonia, mental slowness and lack of initiative, which causes problems in daily life both for patients and for their spouses Some couples seem to deal with these problems satisfactorily, while for others they are quite burdensome The aim of this study was to describe the relationship of severity of dystrophia myotonic and psycho logical wellbeing in patients and partners Methods Sixty nine couples in whom one partner had dystrophia myotonica, completed questionnaires on severity of dystrophia myotonica, marital satisfaction, anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale) and general psychological health (General Health Questionnaire 12) Results 1 or patients, a worse view of the future worse general wellbeing more anxiety and more depression was as sociated with a greater need for help 1 or partners worse general wellbeing and more anxiety was associated with a lack of initiave of the patient and less marital satisfaction It is noteworthy that 40% of patients and particularly female partners had Beck Hopelessness Scale scores suggestive of clinically relevant depression Conclusion Dystrophia myotonica places a heavy burden on patients, and especially on female partners. The need for help and dependency has more influence on the wellbeing of patients than the 53 symptoms of dystrophic myotonica them selves Martial satisfaction is a strong predictor of better wellbeing, both for patients and even more so for partners