Final answer:
The two most common causes of death in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) are respiratory failure and cardiac complications, as the disease leads to progressive weakening of the muscles responsible for breathing and circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Common Causes of Death in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder that leads to progressive muscle weakness and death of muscle tissues. It is caused by a mutation in a gene on the X chromosome that affects the production of dystrophin, a protein essential for muscle fiber function. As DMD progresses, it severely impacts skeletal muscles and subsequently the muscles necessary for breathing and circulation.
The two most common causes of death in patients with DMD are respiratory failure and cardiac complications. Respiratory failure occurs because the respiratory muscles become too weak to facilitate adequate breathing, leading to insufficient oxygen levels and eventually respiratory arrest. Cardiac complications arise because the heart is a muscle, and the lack of dystrophin causes the heart muscle to weaken (cardiomyopathy), leading to heart failure.
As the disease affects primarily males, it is usual for those afflicted to experience significant difficulty in mobility, eventually leading to loss of ambulation and the need for respiratory support. This progression typically takes place as the damage travels from the lower limbs to the upper body, impacting muscles essential for life support.