Database of Wards for Patients with Muscular Dystrophy in Japan

Twenty-seven hospitals in Japan specialize in treatment of muscular dystrophy patients, including inpatient care, of which 26 belong to the National Hospital Organization, and the other is the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry. Since 1999, Japanese muscular dystrophy research groups investigating nervous and mental disorder have been developing a database of cases treated at these 27 institutions. In that regard, we conducted a survey of inpatients with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders based on data collected by the National Hospital Organization and National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry. Herein, we examined data obtained between 1999 and 2010 in order to evaluate the medical condition of inpatients with muscular dystrophy in Japan.