Multidisciplinary Program for Treatment of Oculo-pharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD)
Doctor in Charge: Dr. Amir Dori
Case Managers: Prof. Alex Zvulunov
Neuro-Muscular Diseases specialists: Dr. Merav Ben-David, Dr. Amir Dori, Dr. Vera Nikitin
Clinical Neurogenetics specialist: Prof. Lior Greenbaum
ENT and Swallowing disorders specialist: Dr. Limor Benyamini BenYaish
Ophthalmology and Oculo-plastic specialists: Prof. Ofira Zloto, Prof. Guy Ben-Simon, Dr. Daphna Prat
Respiratory Rehabilitation specialist: Dr Marina Gershman
Oral Health specialists: Prof. Noam Yarom, Silvina Friedlander-Barenboim
Speech and Language Therapists - Swallowing and Speech Rehabilitation: Alina Bichovsky, Gonny Broyd, Toni Brodsky, Nofia Vered
Nutrition: Dana Weiner
Physiotherapy: Hadar Sharon
Mental Health: Dr. Lilia Manzer
Service coordinator: Naama Divon
Contact:
To book your clinic visit in advance, simply email us your full name and phone number at OPMD@sheba.health.gov.il
Our program provides treatment for Oculo-pharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD), a condition that leads to the gradual weakening of facial muscles. This primarily results in difficulties with swallowing and coughing caused by food entering the airway during eating and drinking, as well as drooping eyelids and general muscle weakness.
Symptoms of the disease typically present in people's 50s or 60s, but they can begin earlier. In addition to a significant decline in quality of life, symptoms gradually get worse, to the point of life-threatening danger due to the aspiration of food into the respiratory tract. OPMD is a genetic autosomal dominantly inherited disease, affecting about 1 in 100,000 in the general population. It is disproportionally common among Bukharian Jews.
The diagnosis and treatment of OPMD patients need various medical services. This led to setting up a multidisciplinary program that brings together specialists and clinics to offer a comprehensive service package. This package includes clinical assessments and multisystem treatments, marking the first of its kind in Israel. This service aims to boost clinical research in preventing the disease at all stages and developing treatments for those affected.
How to participate in the program
Patients will undergo an assessment by the programme's multidisciplinary team consisting of neurologists specialising in muscular degeneration diseases, a geneticist expert in neurology, an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor and speech/language therapists expert in swallowing disorders, ophthalmologists specialised in treating droopy eyelids, oral and maxillofacial doctors expert in salivary gland dysfunction, a nutritionist, a rehabilitation psychologist, a psychiatrist, and physiotherapists.
Following diagnosis and evaluation of the disease's severity across different manifestations, patients will receive treatment and rehabilitation plans in each of the relevant areas and will be invited for further follow-up and treatment as needed.
The Sheba Medical Center's service for treating OPMD is officially recognised by the Ministry of Health as a specialised medical service. Thus, every patient diagnosed or suspected of having OPMD has the right to be referred and treated by the multidisciplinary service at Sheba, and for this purpose, they can receive commitment forms (Form 17) from their health fund.
