Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who cannot walk and have advanced scoliosis
are at a higher risk of vertebral fractures due to significantly reduced bone mineral density (BMD),
especially in the lumbar region of the spine, a study shows.
Their low bone density may be associated with immobilization due to disease-associated progressive muscle weakness,
but it was not linked to any of the potential influencing factors evaluated, such as scoliosis severity,
previous glucocorticoid treatment, vitamin D supplementation, and heart disease.
Since lower bone density may reduce the efficacy of surgery to correct scoliosis, standardized screening
and treatment should be defined and implemented in this patient population, researchers noted.
The study, “Reduced bone mineral density in adolescents with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and scoliosis,” was published in the journal Osteoporosis International.
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