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Any Miyoshi myopathy in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the DYSF gene.
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 9:39 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Common questions about Miyoshi muscular dystrophy 1
Features include sometimes findings: Deposits immunoreactive to beta-amyloid protein. 11 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Muscles | 5 | Difficulty climbing stairs, Progressive muscle deterioration (muscular dystrophy), Distal muscle weakness |
Arms and legs | 2 | Lower limb muscle weakness, Tip-toe gait |
Lab test results | 1 | Elevated creatine kinase (muscle enzyme) (elevated circulating creatine kinase concentration) |
Brain and nerves | 1 | Tip-toe gait |
Dysferlinopathy includes a spectrum of muscle disease characterized by two major phenotypes (Miyoshi muscular dystrophy [MMD] and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B [LGMD2B]) and two minor phenotypes (asymptomatic hyperCKemia and distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset [DMAT]) . The major and minor phenotypes can occur within families having the same pathogenic variants [, , , , ]. The weakness and atrophy may be asymmetric with any of these presentations. Miyoshi muscular dystrophy. Young adults have muscle weakness and atrophy most marked in the distal part of the legs, especially the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Early on, affected individuals are not able to stand on tiptoe, but retain the ability to stand on the heels. Over a period of years, the weakness and atrophy spread to the thighs and gluteal muscles, at which time climbing stairs, standing, and walking become difficult. The forearms may become mildly atrophic with decrease in grip strength; the small muscles of the hands are spared. The weakness may eventually include the shoulder girdle muscles . Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B is characterized by early weakness and atrophy of the pelvic and shoulder girdle muscles that begins in adolescence or young adulthood, with slow progression. The spectrum of muscle involvement can also on occasion manifest as the scapuloperoneal syndrome with initial weakness of the shoulder girdle muscles combined with distal weakness of the legs or congenital muscular dystrophy with early onset – as observed, for example, in two sibs with hypotonia beginning between birth and age two months who had delayed motor development and serum CK concentrations that were normal or slightly elevated before age three years . Asymptomatic hyperCKemia. Some individuals have only a marked elevation of serum CK concentration. This is usually considered a presymptomatic presentation of myopathy in an individual who eventually develops muscle weakness and atrophy. Sometimes the calf muscles are enlarged; this presentation may be confused with a dystrophinopathy (i.e., Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy). Distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset is characterized by leg weakness that involves the muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg, causing foot drop . Table 2. Dysferlinopathy: Comparison of Phenotypes by Select Features
Feature |
|---|
DYSF encodes dysferlin (2,080 aa). Key calcium ion sensor involved in the Ca(2+)-triggered synaptic vesicle-plasma membrane fusion. Highest expression in Whole Blood (164.1 TPM) and Spleen (67.3 TPM).
Miyoshi muscular dystrophy 1 is associated with mutations in the DYSF gene on chromosome 2.
The DYSF protein participates in DYSF, CAV3 and TRIM72 bind pathway.
DYSF is classified as a druggable target (Transporter category) with score 0.0.
Studies have reported genotype-phenotype correlates with the following two pathogenic variants :
was associated with a milder form of Miyoshi muscular dystrophy and LGMD2B
was associated with Miyoshi muscular dystrophy.
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for dysferlinopathy have been published.
Dysferlinopathy should be suspected in those with suggestive findings of and considered in those with suggestive findings of . The diagnosis should be informed by .
Dysferlinopathy should be suspected in individuals with suggestive findings of the two major phenotypes, Miyoshi muscular dystrophy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B, based on the following findings . Miyoshi muscular dystrophy (MMD)
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies. Dysferlinopathy needs to be distinguished from other autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (see OMIM Phenotypic Series: LGMD, autosomal recessive). Individuals with LGMD generally show weakness and wasting restricted to the limb musculature, proximal greater than distal. Most individuals with LGMD show relative sparing of the heart and bulbar muscles, although exceptions occur depending on the genetic subtype. Onset, progression, and distribution of the weakness and wasting vary considerably among individuals and genetic subtypes. Multigene panels are increasingly used to identify pathogenic variants and confirm a diagnosis of a specific form of LGMD. Dystrophinopathies.
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"
Genetic testing for DYSF is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for Miyoshi muscular dystrophy 1 has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for Miyoshi muscular dystrophy 1. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for dysferlinopathy have been published.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with dysferlinopathy, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 4.
Dysferlinopathy: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Neuromuscular, physical medicine rehab / PT/OT eval | To evaluate extent of disease as determined by:
Muscle strength function in arms, hands, legs (esp calves), feet
Balance
Function
Fine motor skills
Impact on activities of daily living
Need for ongoing PT OT
Need for AFOs assistive ambulatory devices
Need for adaptive devices
Need for handicapped parking
| PFTs incl supine sitting spirometry, MIP, MEP | To evaluate for effects of muscle weakness on respiratory function, esp in nonambulatory persons
| Baseline echocardiogram | To evaluate for evidence of cardiac involvement (cardiomegaly, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia)
Genetic
counseling | By a genetics professional1 | To review results of genetic testing to inform patients families re nature, MOI implications of dysferlinopathy in order to facilitate medical personal decision making
Family support/
resources | Assess:
Use of community or , incl patient advocacy organizations;
Need for social work involvement for caregiver support.
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"
Control weight to avoid obesity; avoid use of steroids .
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"
Comparison of the effect of prednisolone with vamorolone on dysferlin-deficient myofiber repair showed that vamorolone stabilized dysferlin-deficient muscle cell membrane and improved repair of dysferlin-deficient mouse myofibers . Exon skipping is a therapeutic approach that is feasible for various genetic disorders . designed antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to bypass the effect of the affected individuals pathogenic variant on RNA splicing. AON-mediated exon skipping corrected the aberrant pseudoexon splicing events in vitro, which increased normal mRNA production and significantly restored dysferlin protein expression .
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"
1 trial found
Routine follow up with the multidisciplinary team (annually or more frequently as determined by managing physician) is recommended. See .
Table 6.
Dysferlinopathy: Recommended Multidisciplinary Team Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency
| Evaluate disease progression coordinate care. | At least annually
Rehabilitation
medicine | Eval monitoring of:
Muscle strength testing using a quantitative scale (e.g., MMT, hand-held dynamometry, QMA1) to evaluate progressive muscle involvement
Physical function (e.g., 6-min walk test, AMAT2)
Activities of daily living
| At least annually
PT | Eval mgmt for balance need for AFOs, cane, walker, wheelchair. powerchair | At least annually, or more frequently based on needs
OT | Eval mgmt of fine motor skills hand function, such as Jebsen Hand Function Test3 | At least annually
| PFTs incl supine sitting spirometry, MIP, MEP on affected persons at advanced stages of disease | As needed, if symptomatic or abnormal PFTs
| Follow up not needed unless symptomatic or findings on initial eval were abnormal
Family support/
resources | Assess social emotional support stimulation. | At least annually
AFOs = ankle-foot orthoses; AMAT = Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool; MEP = maximal expiratory pressure; MIP = maximal inspiratory pressure; MMT = manual muscle testing; OT = occupational therapy; PFTs = pulmonary function tests; PT = physical therapy; QMA = Quantitative Muscle Assessment
1.
2.
3.
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"
1 clinical trial registered. Interventions under study include other interventions. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
14 publications have been identified in PubMed for Miyoshi muscular dystrophy 1. Research spans Gene Therapy / Novel Therapeutics (29%), Case Report / Case Series (21%), and Diagnostic / Biomarker (14%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
New treatment approaches | 4 | 29% |
Patient case studies | 3 | 21% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 2 | 14% |
Research summaries | 2 | 14% |
Disease patterns and progression | 2 | 14% |
Other research | 1 | 7% |
Mouloudi N (2026). [PMID: 41954144](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41954144/). *Acta Myol*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Smaili F (2026). [PMID: 41677014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41677014/). *Biomolecules & biomedicine*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Sun Q (2026). [PMID: 42047868](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42047868/). *Neurol Sci*. [Other]
Rodrigues M (2025). [PMID: 40720010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40720010/). *Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)*. [Gene Therapy / Novel Therapeutics]
Baghshomali S (2025). [PMID: 40740503](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40740503/). *International journal of genomics*. [Gene Therapy / Novel Therapeutics]
Baskar D (2025). [PMID: 41026953](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41026953/). *Journal of neuromuscular diseases*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Maruyama R (2025). [PMID: 40720012](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40720012/). *Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)*. [Gene Therapy / Novel Therapeutics]
Bouchard C (2025). [PMID: 40565111](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40565111/). *International journal of molecular sciences*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Ansari U (2025). [PMID: 40786343](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40786343/). *Cureus*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Cheema I (2025). [PMID: 40545540](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40545540/). *Orphanet journal of rare diseases*. [Case Report / Case Series]
MMD
LGMD2B |
|---|
Percent | 49.8%1 | 39.2%1 |
Mean age at onset (range) | 22.1 yrs1(10-48) | 28.2 yrs1(10-63) |
Average age when use of a cane is required (yrs after onset) | 35.5 yrs2(16 yrs) | 39.3 yrs2(13.6 yrs) |
Age when wheelchair bound (yrs after onset) | 42.8 yrs2(22.8 yrs) | 45.1 yrs2(21.4 yrs) |
Median CK level | 4,4401 | 3,4811 |
Cardiac complications | 3.6%3 | Asymptomatic |
Respiratory complications | 22.8%3 | Asymptomatic |
Source: GeneReviews — "Dysferlinopathy"