The prevalence of neuromuscular disease in the paediatric population in Yorkshire, UK; variation by ethnicity and deprivation status

Aim Previous studies suggest a higher prevalence of neurological disease within certain ethnic communities, but have not specifically considered neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). The aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence and relationship of NMDs to ethnicity and deprivation status. Method We undertook a retrospective case‐note review of those younger than 16 years with a confirmed diagnosis of NMD in a single centre in Yorkshire in 2010. Results Two‐hundred and sixty‐one cases were included. The population (0–16y) in Yorkshire was 707 961. The overall prevalence was 36.9 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.6–39.1). Dystrophin‐related muscle disease was the most common condition, with a prevalence of 16.9 per 100 000 males (95% CI 14.7–19.1). There was a significant difference between ethnic groups, with a total NMD prevalence of 91.2 per 100 000 (95% CI 81.6–100.7) in the South Asian ethnic group compared with 28.7 per 100 000 (95% CI 26.4–30.9) in the White group. Prevalence of non‐dystrophin‐related NMDs was four times higher in South Asian than in White children. There was a linear relation between increased prevalence and increased deprivation. Interpretation This study confirms higher levels of NMD, particularly recessively inherited NMDs within the South Asian population, as well as a link with higher deprivation. This has implications for service provision and resource allocation. What this study adds Prevalence of neuromuscular conditions in the paediatric population in Yorkshire was 36.9 per 100 000. Prevalence in the paediatric South Asian ethnic group was 91.2 per 100 000. Prevalence of autosomal recessive neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) in the paediatric South Asian group was four times that of the White group. It confirms an association between higher prevalence of NMDs and higher levels of deprivation. This article is commented on by Landfeldt on pages 796–797 of this issue.