G.P.170: Bone mineral density and body composition in 39 Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients: A two-years follow up

• Published in: Neuromuscular disorders : NMD Vol. 24; no. 9-10; pp. 856 - 857
• Main Authors: Pasanisi, M.B., Vai, S., Baranello, G., Maggi, L., Moroni, I., Arnoldi, M.T., Bussolino, C., Brenna, G., Bianchi, M.L., Morandi, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2014
• ISSN: 0960-8966; 1873-2364
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.06.212

Individuals affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) show significantly altered whole-body composition compared with normal control population. We assessed for at least two years 39 DMD-patients to evaluate how their bone mass and body composition change during time. All patients underwent clinical evaluation and dual-energy-X-ray-absorptiometry (DXA) assessment every six months. By DXA we obtained subtotal total body (without head) and spine bone mineral density (BMD), lean tissue mass (LTM) and body fat percentage (PFAT). We compared data using Wilcoxon tests. At baseline visit the average age was 7±1.62 (range 4–11) years, 11 patients were already treated with steroids since a mean of 3years, 17 started therapy after that visit and 4 about 1year later. At baseline we found significant Spearman correlations between all four DXA parameters each other and with weight, height and BMI. We observed an increasing trend (with statistically significant differences) in all DXA parameters during the two-years follow-up, especially in PFAT. Comparing boys over 10years old with others we found significant differences in all parameters. These results confirm usefulness of DXA as tool both for DMD follow up and for treatment adjustment. Correlation with clinical outcome measures will be presented.