It is shown that Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker’s muscular dystrophy have similarities as well as differences. It is said that the two conditions are similar in their clinical manifestations, clinical course, genetic pattern and prognosis. However, they have differences that is important to be noted. The distinction is one which is not always easy to make, but it is one that must be made if the reader desires a proper understanding of the two endocrine disorders.
Summary Table
| Becker | Duchenne |
| Neurological disorder in the muscles | Musculoskeletal disorder |
| Affects male and female | Affects male |
| Genetic disorder | Gene mutation |
Definitions
Becker’s muscular dystrophy is a neurological disorder that occurs in the muscles and tendons. It was first described by Dr Eugen Fischer in 1855 to describe a child who had difficulty standing for long periods of time due to weakness in his legs. The name is named after Dr Becker, who first described the disease in 1856.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a musculoskeletal disorder that affects male children that is caused by mutation of the gene encoding for dystrophin.
Becker and Duchenne
The difference between Becker and Duchenne is important to understand because it helps us to understand these two diseases. Becker has a smaller size than Duchenne. The location of the muscle weakness in Becker is more in the head and neck than in the legs or arms. Duchenne usually appears before the age of three while Becker manifests at older ages.
Becker’s is a condition that affects both boys and girls. Becker syndrome is more common in men than women, affecting about 1 individual out of every 10,000 each year. Most people with this disease are between the ages of 25 and 45, but it can also affect people younger than 18.
On the other hand, Duchenne is a rare form of epilepsy and occurs only in boys. This type of epilepsy does not affect girls. Duchenne is also rare in that it does not affect other people as much as it does the individuals who are suffering from Becker’s.
In the case of Duchenne, those affected by this type do not have control over their seizures but with Becker’s, they have control over their seizures. This is also seen in the fact that Duchenne’s epileptic fits are more severe and last longer compared to Becker’s.
Duchenne has a physical disability that affects his motor functions; he is unable to control his muscles. On the other hand, Becker has an intellectual disability which affects his brain, but not necessarily his muscles.
The cause of Becker’s muscular dystrophy is not known. It seems to be a genetic disorder which means that there is a mutation in the gene which causes the disease. This is different to Duchenne muscular dystrophy which is caused by the mutation of a gene.
