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  • Updated 08.03.2024
  • Released 01.13.2004
  • Expires For CME 08.03.2027

Collagen VI-related dystrophies: Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, Bethlem muscular dystrophy, and intermediate COL6-RD

Introduction

Overview

Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and Bethlem myopathy represent two ends of a clinical spectrum of disease defined as collagen VI-related myopathies, caused by alterations in the genes coding for collagen VI. Intermediate collagen VI-related dystrophy clinically sits between these two entities. Both recessive and dominant mutations in the collagen VI genes COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3 are responsible for the disease phenotype in this set of myopathic conditions.

Key points

• Both recessive and dominant mutations in the collagen VI genes COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3 cause a spectrum of muscular dystrophies collectively termed “collagen VI-related dystrophy.”

• Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy is the severe clinical manifestation.

• Bethlem myopathy is the name given to the milder clinical form.

• Intermediate collagen VI-related dystrophy has features in the center of the clinical spectrum of the collagen-VI-related dystrophies.

Historical note and terminology

In 1930, Ullrich described a peculiar form of congenital muscular dystrophy with an unusual combination of distal hyperextensibility and proximal contractures in two boys; he termed the disorder “congenital atonic-sclerotic muscular dystrophy” (36; 37). Additional clinical findings were onset in the neonatal period or early infancy, which included generalized muscle weakness, hyperhidrosis, high-arched palate, protruded calcanei, and normal intelligence.

Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (MIM 254090) and Bethlem myopathy (MIM 158810) were originally described as separate entities, but demonstration of collagen VI gene mutations led to the concept of “collagen VI-related myopathies” as a group of conditions covering a broad clinical spectrum (20). Other clinical diagnoses found in this group include intermediate COL VI-RD and myosclerosis myopathy (25) (first described by A Lowenthal in 1954 and thought to be a separate familial muscle disorder).

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