Epidemiology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the province of Turin.

An epidemiological investigation on Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Turin and its province has been carried out for the period 1955-974. The incidence of the disease proved to be 24 X 10(-5), and the prevalence 2.15 X 10(-5). The mutation rate was 80 X 10(-6). The data are compared with the literature. Segregation analysis on many families was performed in order to find the theoretical number of carrier among Duchenne mothers. The importance of epidemiology for genetic counselling is stressed.