A 2008 study by Orphanet entitled ‘Prevalen
The report is backed by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), one of Europe's leading public health research institutes.
"The report supports a long held suspicion in muscular dystrophy circles that FSHD is the most prevalent dystrophy," said Bill Moss (AM), FSHD Global Chairman.
The report examines the prevalence of hundreds of diseases, drawing on data from medical books, medical websites, grey literature and reports from medical experts.
The European report states that FSHD is prevalent in 7/100,000, with Becker and Duchene dystrophies having listed prevalence of 5/100,000.
"Last year, the Australian Federal Government confirmed to FSHD Global that it does not fund research into FSHD," said Bill Moss.
"With this highly credible report suggesting FSHD may be the most common form of muscular dystrophy, it's now appropriate for the Government and other muscular dystrophy associations to re-examine current FSHD funding levels," said Bill Moss.
"All people living with muscular dystrophy deserve to know that money is being spent on finding a cure or treatment for their specific dystrophy - remembering that a cure for one dystrophy is not a cure for all dystrophies," concluded Bill Moss.
Please click here if you would like a copy of the Orphanet Report