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Elsevier, Neuromuscular Disorders, 6(24), p. 467-473, 2014

DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.03.002

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Influence of a two-year steroid treatment on body composition as measured by Dual X-ray Absorptiometry in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.

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Abstract

Steroids are nowadays routinely used as a long-term treatment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Their effects on body composition were assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry. The study followed over 2years 29 genetically confirmed DMD patients: 21 in the steroid-treated group and 8 in the steroid-naïve group. After 2years of steroid treatment, the lean tissue mass values increased significantly (p<0.0001), the percentage of body fat mass remained practically constant (p=0.94) in comparison with the initial visit. In the steroid-naïve patients, there were no significant increases in the lean tissue mass but deterioration in body composition confirmed by a significant increase in the percentage of body fat mass. Besides, significant negative correlations were found between the percentage of body fat mass and the MFM total score (R=-0.79, n=76, p<0.0001). A 2-year steroid treatment improves significantly body composition of boys with DMD through a significant increase in lean tissue mass. We suggest that a thorough check of body composition should be carried out before steroid treatment discontinuation in case of overweight gain.