Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The frequency and distribution of dystrophin gene deletions vary in patients with Duchene/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD). OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to analyze clinical, biochemical, and dystrophin gene deletion pattern, by using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the population of eastern Uttar Pradesh and the adjoining districts of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. MATERIAL AND METHOD: After clinical assessment, 225 patients of DMD/BMD were analyzed for deletion in dystrophin gene. Clinical features and biochemical parameters were noted. For genetic study, all samples were tested for deletion from 25 exons of DMD gene by using multiplex PCR. RESULT: Deletions were detected in 169 (75.1%) patients of DMD/BMD. Deletions were observed in both proximal and mid-distal hot spot regions with maximum deletion localized in the mid-distal hot spot region of the gene. The most frequent deletions were observed in exon 50 (14.9%) and exon 49 (10.8%). CONCLUSION: This study concludes that mid-distal region of dystrophin is highly polymorphic in the population of eastern Uttar Pradesh and responsible for pathogenesis of DMD. The population of eastern Uttar Pradesh shows similar pattern of deletion in dystrophin gene when compared with other ethnic groups of the Indian population.