Question

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact. A published study estimated that the average survival (i.e., duration of disease is approximately 27 years. The annual incidence of DMD is approximately 0.017% or 17 cases per 100,000 people per year. What is the prevalence of people living with DMD? You may show your answer formatted as a percentage or number of cases per 100,000 people.

Answer 1

459 cases per 100,000 people.

Explanation:

To calculate the prevalence of DMD, we need to know the number of people living with the condition at a specific point in time. We can estimate this number by multiplying the annual incidence rate by the average duration of the disease:

Prevalence = Annual incidence rate x Average duration of the disease

Annual incidence rate = 0.017% = 17 cases per 100,000 people per year

Average duration of the disease = 27 years

Therefore, the prevalence of DMD can be estimated as:

Prevalence = 17 cases per 100,000 people per year x 27 years = 459 cases per 100,000 people

So, approximately 459 people out of 100,000 are living with DMD. This can also be expressed as a percentage by multiplying the above value by 100, which gives:

Prevalence = 459 cases per 100,000 people x 100% = 0.459% of the population

Therefore, the prevalence of DMD is approximately 0.459% or 459 cases per 100,000 people.