Diagnostic Journey, Patient Experience, and Disparities in the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in the MedStar Health System

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, leading to degeneration of motor neurons and progressive muscle weakness. While disease-modifying therapies such as nusinersen (Spinraza), onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi (Zolgensma), and risdiplam (Evrysdi) have significantly improved outcomes for individuals with SMA, access to these treatments remains inconsistent-especially among adults. Many adults with SMA remain untreated or experience long delays in diagnosis and initiation of therapy, reflecting potential gaps in awareness, care coordination, and health equity.

This observational, two-phase study will evaluate the diagnostic pathways and treatment experiences of SMA patients receiving care within the MedStar Health System.

Phase 1 (Retrospective Chart Review): Medical records will be reviewed to characterize diagnostic timelines, genetic confirmation, treatment history, and demographic variables. This phase will identify eligible participants for qualitative interviews and describe patterns of treatment uptake and care access.

Phase 2 (Qualitative Interviews): Eligible patients aged 18 years or older will be invited to participate in one-time telephone interviews lasting approximately 60 minutes. Interviews will explore patients' diagnostic experiences, understanding of their condition, access to therapies, barriers encountered, and perceived quality of care.

The study will enroll up to 200 participants, beginning with the Georgetown Neurology clinic and expanding across the MedStar Health network. Participation involves minimal risk. The primary risks are potential discomfort in discussing personal health experiences and loss of confidentiality, which will be minimized through secure data handling procedures, staff training, and voluntary participation.

Results will inform strategies to improve SMA diagnosis and care pathways, particularly among underserved populations. Findings may also support health system initiatives to reduce disparities in access to specialized neuromuscular care.