Clinical trial Recruiting at 13 sites Observational Ages 18 and up Men only

Respiratory progression in adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a long-term observational study

Official title: Respiratory Progression in Adult Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Natural History, Biomarker Identification, and Development of a Predictive Algorithm.

Run by Istituto Giannina Gaslini · NCT07879989 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests how respiratory function changes over three years in adults with genetically confirmed Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

More Respiratory Failure trials

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years and up
SexMen only
Enrollment150 (estimated)
SponsorIstituto Giannina Gaslini
Academic / other
Locations13 sites (Bologna and 12 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 9, 2025
Main results expectedJanuary 30, 2028
Study endsJanuary 30, 2028
Registry record updatedOctober 19, 2026
Trial IDNCT07879989 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults (18+) with genetically confirmed DMD who are not enrolled in interventional trials and can provide informed consent.

Probably not a fit

Patients with acute respiratory failure at enrollment, severe cognitive impairment, advanced heart failure, or those unable to consent may not benefit from this observational study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This multicenter, longitudinal observational study will collect and analyze clinical, respiratory, motor, and genetic data from adults with DMD over 36 months. Researchers will use spirometry, inspiratory pressures, and sleep studies to track respiratory function, with diaphragm ultrasound in a subset to assess diaphragmatic function. Blood samples will be examined for genetic modifiers and inflammatory biomarkers that may relate to disease progression. The study aims to describe long-term respiratory progression and to validate new assessment methods, while exploring how motor function and genetic factors relate to respiratory decline.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve understanding of how respiratory decline unfolds in adults with DMD and help tailor monitoring strategies and future interventions.

How similar studies have gone: Similar observational work in DMD and other neuromuscular diseases has provided valuable natural-history insights, though this study adds prospective, multi-center respiratory measurements and biomarkers.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years.
* Genetically confirmed Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
* Not enrolled in interventional clinical trials.
* Signed informed consent for study participation and personal data processing.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute respiratory failure at enrollment.
* Severe cognitive impairment preventing study adherence (IQ \<45).
* Advanced heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction \<30%).
* Failure to provide informed consent for study participation or personal data processing.

Where it's running

  • Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna - IRCCS
    Bologna, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Associazione La Nostra Famiglia Eugenio Medea - IRCCS
    Bosisio Parini, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione Stella Maris - IRCCS
    Calambrone, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini
    Genova, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Policlinico Universitario "G. Martino"
    Messina, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Centro Clinico NeMO
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
Show 7 more locations
  • Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta - IRCCS
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Università Vita Salute San Raffaele
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Dipartimento di Neuroscienze DNS, Università di Padova
    Padova, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Nazionale Casimiro Mondino - IRCCS
    Pavia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Università di Pisa
    Pisa, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli
    Roma, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Dipartimento di Neuroscienze Rita Levi Montalcini, Università di Torino
    Torino, Italy
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.