The partial or total immobility caused by many neuromuscular diseases, whether or not associated with the deleterious effect of corticosteroid therapy, is often the cause of bone problems (osteoporosis, osteopenia, fractures, compression, etc.):
- The Euro-NMD neuromuscular reference network (ERN) has conducted a double survey on these complications, which are frequently encountered over the long term, particularly in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA),
- one aimed at healthcare professionals in European Centres of Reference (52 in total), and the other at patients or their families (581 of whom responded to the survey),
- although the majority of professionals are aware of the risk, there is still room for improvement in the prevention and monitoring of these complications, and in the harmonisation of these practices.