• Echo intensity of muscles [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Change in echo intensity at a defined cross-sectional level in muscles in limbs, musculus rectus abdominis and paraspinal muscles from baseline at 2 years. Echo intensity is measured as grayscale pixels ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white) through histogram analysis by an ultrasound software program. It calculates the mean value from the superficial 1/3 of a manually selected region of interest in three consecutive images from same location. Increase in echo intensity indicates increase in pathology.
• Muscle thickness [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using ultrasound to measure changes in muscle thickness at a defined cross-sectional level in muscles in limbs, musculus rectus abdominis and paraspinal muscles from baseline at 2 years.
• Age at important disease stages [ Time Frame: Retrospective data collection at baseline ]
  Document the variation in age of onset, age of loss of walking ability, age of established cardiac failure and age of established respiratory failure.
• Rate of symptom progression [ Time Frame: Retrospective data collection at baseline ]
  Document the variation in time from disease onset to loss of walking ability/ cardiac failure/ respiratory failure respectively.
• Prevalence of detected heart failure [ Time Frame: Retrospective data collection at baseline ]
  The percentage of patients with detected heart failure related to LGMD 2I.
• Prevalence of established respiratory failure [ Time Frame: Retrospective data collection at baseline ]
  The percentage of patients with detected respiratory failure.
• Motor task performance [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using the standardised scoring instrument "Motor Function Measure for neuromuscular diseases" (MFM) to measure the ability to perform 32 different motor tasks. The individual item score ranges from 0 (cannot initiate the task) to 3 (performs fully and normally). The items are divided into 3 domains: 1) Standing and transfers (13 tasks), 2) Axial and proximal motor function (12 tasks), 3) Distal motor function (7 tasks). The 3 domains give rise to 3 subscores. Both subscores and total score (0-96 points) will be measured. Baseline and changes from baseline at two years.
• Disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) [ Time Frame: Baseline, at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years ]
  Using the "Individualized Neuromuscular Quality of Life" (INQOL)-questionnaire to measure the burden of disease. It consists of 45 items. Each item is graded by a 7-point Likert scale (0-6/1-7).The 45 items make up 3 dimensions/domains: muscular symptoms, effects on life-domains (activities, independence, emotions, body image, social relationships) and effects of treatment. The 3 domains are together subdivided into 11 subdimensions, each with its own subscale. In addition there is a QOL-score which is a composite score from the "Life-domain". The scores range from 0-100 and are determined by the item responses and a weighting algorithm. The higher the scores, the more negative impact. Both subscales and QOL-score will be determined - at baseline and changes from baseline at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.
• Echocardiography strain speckle-tracking [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Measure cardiac function at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Nocturnal arterial carbon dioxide (CO2)-level [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Monitor transcutaneous CO2 during sleep at baseline and changes from baseline at two years. High level indicates hypoventilation.

• 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) [ Time Frame: Baseline (2 tests with 1 day interval) and two years (2 tests with 1 day interval) ]
  Walk distance in 6 minutes, Borgs scale for dyspnoea and fatigue pre and post test, and for self-reported exertion. Changes from baseline in 6MWT at 2 years
• 4-step stair climb test [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Changes from baseline in time to ascend and to descend a 4-steps stair at two years
• Level of motor independence: "Vignos Grade" [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using "Vignos grade" to score level of motor independence. The score ranges from 1 (walk and climb without assistance) to 10 (confined to bed).
• Upper limb movement ability: "Brooks Grade" [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using "Brooks Grade" to score the ability to raise arms above the head, ranging from 1 (normal: full abduction until the hands touch above the head) to 6 (cannot raise hands to mouth and has no useful function of hands). Baseline and changes from baseline at two years.
• Hand held dynamometry [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Changes from baseline in muscular strength in the limbs at two years
• Manual Muscular Testing (MMT) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Changes from baseline in muscular strength in the limbs at two years
• General health-related quality of life [ Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years ]
  Using the Norwegian translation of general HRQOL-instrument "Short Form Health Survey" (SF-36). It is a questionnaire with 36 questions (items) investigating 8 domains/dimensions (physical function, physical role limitations, emotional role limitations, social functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, mental health). The 8 domain scores will be determined. The scores range from 0-100 and are based on item-responses and weighting algorithm. High score stands for good health. Measure at baseline and changes from baseline at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.
• Plethysmography [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Lung volumes at baseline, and changes from baseline at two years.
• Mean Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressure (MIP/MEP) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Static respiratory pressures at baseline, and changes from baseline at two years
• Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Dynamic spirometry while sitting, and supine when normal sitting. Baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Diaphragm thickness ratio [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using ultrasound to measure thickness of diaphragm at maximum inspiration and at end-expiration. Ratio < 1,2 indicates reduced diaphragm movement. Bott left and right side will be measured.
• Nocturnal oxygen saturation [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Monitor transcutaneous oxygen saturation during sleep.
• Cough Peak Flow [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Cough Peak Flow at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Apnea-hypopnea index [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Using polysomnography to calculate the number of obstructive and non-obstructive apnea and hypopnea events pr hour sleep.
• Respiratory disturbance index [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Using polysomnography to calculate the number of respiratory events in terms of apneas, hypopneas and respiratory effort-related arousals pr hour sleep.
• Thoracoabdominal breathing pattern during sleep [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Using polysomnography to detect paradoxal breathing movements during sleep (abdomen moving in on inspiration when supine).
• Echocardiography - conventional [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Measure cardiac function at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Electrocardiography (ECG) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Assessment of cardiac electrical activity at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Pain (visual analogous scale, VAS) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Patient-reported pain on VAS at baseline and at 2 years
• Fatigue (Visual Analogous Scale, VAS) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Patient-reported fatigue on VAS tat baseline and at 2 years
• Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Fatigue at baseline and at 2 years
• Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Assessment of daytime sleepiness at baseline
• Capillary blood gas [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Capillary CO2 at baseline and at 2 years
• Serum Creatine Kinase (s-CK) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  s-CK at baseline and at 2 years

• 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) [ Time Frame: Baseline (2 tests with 1 day interval) and two years (2 tests with 1 day interval) ]
  Walk distance in 6 minutes, Borgs scale for dyspnoea and fatigue pre and post test, and for self-reported exertion. Changes from baseline in 6MWT at 2 years
• 4-step stair climb test [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Changes from baseline in time to ascend and to descend a 4-steps stair at two years
• Level of motor independence: "Vignos Grade" [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using "Vignos grade" to score level of motor independence. The score ranges from 1 (walk and climb without assistance) to 10 (confined to bed).
• Upper limb movement ability: "Brooks Grade" [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using "Brooks Grade" to score the ability to raise arms above the head, ranging from 1 (normal: full abduction until the hands touch above the head) to 6 (cannot raise hands to mouth and has no useful function of hands). Baseline and changes from baseline at two years.
• Hand held dynamometry [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Changes from baseline in muscular strength in the limbs at two years
• Manual Muscular Testing (MMT) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Changes from baseline in muscular strength in the limbs at two years
• General health-related quality of life [ Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years ]
  Using the Norwegian translation of general HRQOL-instrument "Short Form Health Survey" (SF-36). It is a questionnaire with 36 questions (items) investigating 8 domains/dimensions (physical function, physical role limitations, emotional role limitations, social functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, mental health). The 8 domain scores will be determined. The scores range from 0-100 and are based on item-responses and weighting algorithm. High score stands for good health. Measure at baseline and changes from baseline at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.
• Plethysmography [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Lung volumes at baseline, and changes from baseline at two years.
• Mean Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressure (MIP/MEP) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Static respiratory pressures at baseline, and changes from baseline at two years
• Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Dynamic spirometry while sitting, and supine when normal sitting. Baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Slow vital capacity (SVC) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Static spirometry at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Diaphragm thickness ratio [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Using ultrasound to measure thickness of diaphragm at maximum inspiration and at end-expiration. Ratio < 1,2 indicates reduced diaphragm movement. Bott left and right side will be measured.
• Nocturnal oxygen saturation [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Monitor transcutaneous oxygen saturation during sleep.
• Cough Peak Flow [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Cough Peak Flow at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Apnea-hypopnea index [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Using polysomnography to calculate the number of obstructive and non-obstructive apnea and hypopnea events pr hour sleep.
• Respiratory disturbance index [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Using polysomnography to calculate the number of respiratory events in terms of apneas, hypopneas and respiratory effort-related arousals pr hour sleep.
• Thoracoabdominal breathing pattern during sleep [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Using polysomnography to detect paradoxal breathing movements during sleep (abdomen moving in on inspiration when supine).
• Echocardiography - conventional [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Measure cardiac function at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Electrocardiography (ECG) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Assessment of cardiac electrical activity at baseline and changes from baseline at 2 years
• Pain (visual analogous scale, VAS) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Patient-reported pain on VAS at baseline and at 2 years
• Fatigue (Visual Analogous Scale, VAS) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Patient-reported fatigue on VAS tat baseline and at 2 years
• Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Fatigue at baseline and at 2 years
• Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Assessment of daytime sleepiness at baseline
• Capillary blood gas [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  Capillary CO2 at baseline and at 2 years
• Serum Creatine Kinase (s-CK) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 years ]
  s-CK at baseline and at 2 years

Key goals are to establish the natural history of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I (LGMD 2I) and identify feasible and sensitive tools and biomarkers to measure disease affection and progression, determine the Norwegian LGMD 2I prevalence, carrier frequency and genotypes, and to assess health-related quality of life in the Norwegian LGMD 2I population.

Main aims are to facilitate future clinical trials and contribute to good clinical practice with suitable methodology and to complete health and social care in order to optimize the function and quality of daily living of the patient group.

• Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Type 2I
• Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
• Muscular Dystrophies

Inclusion Criteria:

• Genetical confirmed limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I in Norway
• Live in Norway
• Written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children < 16 years are excluded from the assessment of quality of life and from the clinical/paraclinical part, but may contribute with information through questionnaires and patient journal.

The study of prevalence and genotypes is anonymous and consent independent and will include everyone that is genetically LGMD 2I-confirmed in Norway.

• University of Tromso
• Norwegian Muscle Disease Association (FFM)
• Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Rare Disorders (NKSD)
• Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders