Bethlem myopathy

 

Bethlem myopathy is a slowly progressive muscle disease characterized predominantly by contractures, rigidity of the spine, skin abnormalities and proximal muscle weakness.^[5][11] Symptoms may present as early as infancy, with typical contractures and hyperlaxity of joints; however, in some patients, symptoms may go unnoticed until adolescence or adulthood.^[11] Serum creatine kinase (CK) is usually normal to mildly elevated (<5×).^[11]

 

Early on, there may be distal laxity (hypermobility), but all of those with Bethlem myopathy eventually develop multiple joint contractures: long finger flexors, wrists, elbows, hips, knees and ankles.^[5][11] There may also be club foot, scoliosis or rigid spine.^[5][11] Skin abnormalities are common, including keloid formation, ‘cigarette paper scarring’ (atrophic scarring), velvety soft skin, and follicular hyperkeratosis.^[11][6]

'Bethlem sign' is the typical sign in Bethlem myopathy patients demonstrating long finger flexor contractures. With palms facing each other and with elbows raised, patients try, but fail, to make full contact of one hand against the other (in what looks like the gesture of hands during prayer).^[12]

(Collagen VI genes)

See Bethlem myopathy 1 Clinical synopsis on OMIM: 158810

In Bethlem myopathy 1, in the calf, one of the first signs is often a 'rim' of fatty infiltration between the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles.^[12][13][14] Although there is fatty infiltration, the calf muscles do not appear pseudohypertrophic, in fact they may appear slender.^{[15][12][16][17][18]} In the thighs, there is also significant fatty infiltration of the vasti muscles, with a rim of fatty infiltration on the periphery of the muscles, while the center is more or less spared (characteristic "outside-in" pattern).^[12][19] This "outside-in" pattern distinguishes it from other myopathies known to have contractures, such as Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.^[12]

The exception is the rectus femoris muscle of the thigh, where fatty infiltration occurs in the center of the muscle, but spares the periphery. This unusual pattern is described as a "central cloud" and is also a distinguishing feature, as it is not seen in the rectus femoris of LMNA-related Emery-Dreifuss myopathy.^[12]

Bethlem myopathy 1 may also include neonatal-onset torticollis (neck contracture) and hypotonia ("floppy baby"), delayed motor mile stones, with respiratory difficulties potentially occurring later in life.^[20][12] Contractures presenting in infancy may resolve by age 2 years, but reoccur as the disease progresses, typically by late of the first decade or early teens.^[12]

(Collagen XII gene)

See Bethlem myopathy 2 Clinical synopsis on OMIM: 616471

In Bethlem myopathy 2, there is phenotypic variability. In one family, the only notable finding on T1-weighted MR images (used to detect fatty infiltration) was atrophy of the rectus femoris muscles of the thigh, with the degree of atrophy matching the severity of the disease, but no fatty infiltration.^[14][11] In another family, only the more severely affected older patient showed significant abnormality, by having symmetrical fatty atrophy of the femoral quadriceps of the thigh, the adductor and medial gastrocnemius muscles of the calf; as well as asymmetrical fatty atrophy of the adductor longus of the thigh.^[11] No muscle hypertrophy was reported and the muscles of the patients without fatty atrophy appeared normal.^[11]

Bethlem myopathy 2 also differs by including the possibility of scapula winging, pectus excavatum, stooped posture, kyphosis (hunchback), micrognathia, retrognathia, and a high-arched palate.^[14] Childhood muscle weakness improves in teen years, but muscle weakness returns by the third decade of life.^[11]

The disease may be diagnosed based on a clinical examination, which identifies signs and symptoms generally associated with the people who have the condition. Genetic testing for known pathological variants is preferred, by testing of the COL6A1, COL6A2, COL6A3 and COL12A1 genes.^[7][3] In the case of a VUS, testing of dermal fibroblast culture is used for an accurate diagnosis.^[6]

Additional laboratory tests may be performed before genetic testing, such as creatine kinase (CK) blood test, MRI of the muscles, and electromyography (EMG).

Phenotypes of overlap between Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) and Bethlem can be assumed. In the differential diagnosis of UCMD, even in patients without finger contractures, Bethlem myopathy could be considered.^[21]

Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) involves mutations on the same genes as Bethlem myopathy, but has a more severe presentation, with the ability to walk (ambulation) typically being lost between the ages of 5–15 years.^[12] Autosomal recessive myosclerosis myopathy is allelic to the COL6A2 gene, it includes multiple contractures of the joints with slender muscles which are infiltrated by connective tissue and fibrosis, giving them a firm, "woody" feel upon palpitation.^[22][23]

The symptoms of Bethlem myopathy may overlap with other conditions including Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophies, limb girdle muscular dystrophies, FHL1-related myopathies (X-linked myopathy with postural muscle atrophy, reducing body myopathy, and scapuloperoneal myopathy), and some forms of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.^[11] Tubular aggregate myopathy (TAM1 & TAM2) includes, among other symptoms, contractures, muscle weakness, and fatty atrophy of muscle.^[24][25][26]

Typical to Bethlem myopathy 1 and 2 are the presence of multiple contractures.^[11][5] A contracture can be caused by a variety of reasons, from disease to lifestyle (see Muscle contractures). If the patient lacks multiple contractures, as well as lacks other common symptoms of Bethlem myopathy, and in addition has muscular symptoms which are not known to be associated with Bethlem myopathy such as muscle hypertrophy, exercise-induced (dynamic) symptoms rather than fixed muscle weakness (static) symptoms, or cardiac involvement such as arrhythmia, then other myopathies should be considered.

Currently there is no cure for the disease. Symptomatic treatment, which aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life is the main treatment method of Bethlem myopathy. It is believed that physical therapy, stretching exercises, orthoses such as braces and splints, and mobility aids like a walker or wheelchair are beneficial to patient's condition.^[7]

Surgical options could be considered in rare instances, in order to help with joint contractures or scoliosis.^[7] Contractures of the legs can be alleviated with heel-cord surgery followed by bracing and regular physical therapy. Repeated surgeries to lengthen the heel cords may be needed as the child grows to adulthood.^[4]

According to a Japanese study from 2007, Bethlem myopathy 1 affects about 1 in 200,000 people.^[8] A 2009 study, concerning the prevalence of genetic muscle disease in Northern England, estimated the prevalence of Bethlem myopathy 1 to be at 0.77:100,000.^[27] Together with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy 1, Bethlem myopathy 1 is believed to be underdiagnosed. Both conditions have been described in individuals from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.^[28] Bethlem myopathy 2 affects less than 1 in 1,000,000 people.^[9]