People with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) frequently live well into adulthood. Advances in treatment have significantly increased the life expectancy for this condition.
The median life expectancy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is about 28 years — but that number tells only part of the story. The median is the middle of the range of possible years of survival, and many people with DMD live into their early 30s or even their 40s.
Treatment access and management of coexisting medical conditions are important factors in life expectancy for people with DMD.
Researchers have analyzed several decades’ worth of information to estimate the life expectancy of people with DMD. But because DMD is a rare condition, a relatively small amount of data is available. Estimates of life expectancy vary depending on the study.
One 2021 analysis of 14 previous studies found a median life expectancy of 28.1 years for people with DMD who were born in 1990 or later. For the entire study population, including people born earlier than 1990, the median was 22 years.
In a research review published in 2020, which included data from 2,662 people with DMD, the authors reported a median life expectancy of 29.9 to 31.8 years for those who used a ventilator (a device that helps with breathing). The studies included in this review had a wide range of life expectancy estimates, from 21 years to 39.6 years.
One consistent theme in the research is the steady increase in life expectancy for those with DMD over the past several decades. In other words, people with DMD are now living longer.
DMD is an individual experience, and life expectancy estimates do not predict how long any one person will live with the condition. However, some factors seem to increase the likelihood of living longer.
Access to adequate treatment
One important factor in life expectancy is access to medical treatment that helps maintain muscle function and increase the amount of dystrophin in the body. Dystrophin is a protein essential to muscle development. In people with DMD, dystrophin levels are very low.
Medical management of DMD can help slow the progression of the disease, leading to a longer life. A DMD management program might include treatments such as:
- corticosteroids to preserve your muscle strength and walking ability
- gene replacement therapy or exon-skipping therapy to help your body make functional dystrophin
- physical therapy to preserve your range of motion and muscle strength
- occupational therapy to help you perform daily tasks such as eating, dressing, and hygiene
The authors of a 2022 research review examined how these types of treatment can affect the lives of people with DMD. They found that corticosteroid treatment was associated with delayed loss of the ability to walk, better lung function, and delayed development of cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease).
There’s also some evidence to suggest that undergoing spinal fusion surgery to treat scoliosis (spinal curvature) may help maintain lung function. A 2024 study found that, among people who had both DMD and scoliosis, a lack of surgical treatment for scoliosis increased the risk of death due to breathing-related issues.
Co-occurring medical conditions
Many people with DMD develop cardiomyopathy, and proper management of that condition can help extend their life span. Cardiomyopathy management typically includes annual heart evaluations by a specialist, as well as medications such as:
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
- beta-blockers
- aldosterone antagonists
- SGLT-2 inhibitors
Each of these types of medication can help maintain your heart muscle function.
Over time, DMD will also weaken the muscles that help you breathe. Managing your breathing is therefore an important factor in increasing your life expectancy. This can include:
- using a cough assist device or manual assisted coughing to maintain clear airways
- receiving ventilator support to treat hypoventilation (slow breathing)
- receiving treatment for clinical signs of pneumonia
Respiratory care in DMD can also involve surgical treatments to address spinal curvature.
Breathing support can make a big difference in life expectancy: According to a 2020 research review, median life expectancy estimates are 19 to 19.4 years for people who do not receive this type of support and 29.9 to 31.8 years for those who do.
Low body weight
Some factors can increase the risk of death in DMD, especially among people with cardiomyopathy. One small
Nutrition
People with DMD are at risk of both obesity and malnutrition over the course of the disease. You can work with a registered dietitian to help ensure that you’re meeting your nutrient and calorie needs as the disease progresses. Proper nutrition can support you in living a longer life with DMD.
Timing of certain treatments
The phase of DMD during which you start treatments can affect your life span. According to a 2022 research review, people who start corticosteroids before 5 years of age might develop heart muscle disease earlier and be more prone to fractures.
At the same time, getting an early start on heart-protective medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and beta-blockers can help keep your heart muscle healthy longer.
Active treatment of hypoventilation might help prevent some deaths due to pneumonia in DMD.
In a 2024 study involving 129 people with DMD, researchers found that 60.5% of the participants had their first case of pneumonia before doctors had identified their hypoventilation. In the study overall, people who received assisted ventilation had a higher life expectancy than those who did not receive this intervention.
Research has generally shown an increase in life expectancy for people with DMD over several decades, as new treatments have become available. While the life expectancy for DMD was once in the teenage years, it is now common for individuals with the condition to live well into adulthood.
A 2021 research review that included data from 2,283 people with DMD found that the median life expectancy for those born before 1970 was 18.3 years. In comparison, people born in 1970 through 1990 had a life expectancy of 24 years, while those born after 1990 had a life expectancy of 28.1 years.
Similarly, a
In the same 2025 study, people born more recently also tended to receive a DMD diagnosis sooner. For those born from 2010 through 2019, the average age at diagnosis was 3.4 years, while for those born before 1970, it was 6.4 years.
An earlier diagnosis may allow people to begin treatment sooner to slow the progression of DMD.
People with DMD are living longer because of the availability of new treatments and better management of co-occurring medical conditions. Maintaining heart and lung function longer can be critically important for a longer life expectancy.