Glycogen Storage Disease Type V (McArdle Disease)

Also known as myophosphorylase deficiency.

McArdle disease is a rare metabolic disorder which causes muscle pain in everyday activities and exercise. If activity is prolonged despite the pain then muscle damage ensues with the risk of muscle breakdown and kidney failure.

Symptoms are usually apparent during the first decade of life but many people do not manage to obtain a diagnosis until the third or fourth decade. Later in life some people with McArdle disease experience fixed muscle weakness, possibly from cumulative muscle damage. It is important for those with McArdle disease to take regular aerobic exercise such as walking and avoid anaerobic activities such as lifting heavy weights.

Coordinator

The Coordinator for Type V is Andrew Wakelin. You can contact him via the Contact us page, or telephone him on 01597 860686.

• Site map of McArdle pages

About the disease

• More about McArdle disease from Dr Ros Quinlivan
• McArdle Emergencies
  Guidance for patients and information for emergency doctors
• The UK McArdle Clinic multi-disciplinary team
• Support for patients sources of help and information
• NEW The McArdle Disease Handbook - Kathryn Birch - A guide to the scientific and medical research into McArdle Disease explained in plain English
• NEW Information Cards order these handy cards to help explain the disease
• Tips for people with McArdle's - living with the disease

Exercise and McArdle Disease

• Exercise and McArdle disease second wind and the 6 second rule
• NEW Adapting activity understanding how to protect ourselves
• Starting an exercise programme advice for those who are very de-conditioned
• Walking with McArdle's more advanced hints and tips
• Walking with McArdle's - Wales a week's holiday, learn how to best cope, summer 2011
• Walk over Wales for McArdle disease 2010 - info, blog and photos

Background information

• McArdle Patients' Survey - insight into the life of patients
• Cochrane Reviews into drug and nutritional treatments and physical training
• Reports of McArdle Workshops from the annual conference
• Index to newsletter articles on McArdle's
• Research into McArdle disease with which AGSD-UK has been involved
• Dr. Brian McArdle 1911-2002 first described the disease
• Prof. Robert Mahler 1921-2006 identified the molecular basis of McArdle's
• Glossary - terms used in McArdle disease
• McArdle links internet resources on McArdle's