German researchers studied diaphragmatic function in 28 adults with SMA, before and after treatment with nusinersen (Spinraza®) :
- 10 with SMA type II and 14 with type III,
- diaphragm thickening and stroke were assessed by ultrasound and correlated with parameters from other respiratory function tests,
- both parameters improved after treatment.
The authors of this work emphasize that the diaphragm, classically preserved in SMA, can be affected in 20-30% of adult patients, and that its function can improve with treatment.
