Vertebral fractures and muscle function in glucocorticoid-treated individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Our results suggest that ambulatory status and functional scores alone may not be reliable predictors for developing VFs and confirm the association with known risk factors, such as early initiation of glucocorticoid therapy and low BMD Z-scores
Study context
- Population
- GC-treated individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), 7–26 years7–26 years
- Participants
- 149 individuals
- Exposure
- Ambulant vs non-ambulant individuals; risk factors for prevalent vertebral fractures (VFs)
- Outcome
- Prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFs)
Methodological detailslogistic and linear regression
- Logistic and linear regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalent VFs
Ambulant
41
%
Non-ambulant
42%
- VFs in overall cohort
- 62 (42%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Risk factors for VFs (overall cohort)
- Each one-year delay in starting GC reduced risk of VFs by 27% (p = 0.007)
- Each additional unit in TB BMD Z-score reduced risk of VFs by 54% (p = 0.0007)
Risk factors for VFs (subgroups) and Spinal Deformity Index (SDI)
- TB BMD Z-score protective in both non-ambulant and ambulant subgroups
- Lower TB BMD Z-scores predictive of a greater SDI
- In the ambulant subgroup a lower BMI reduced the risk of VF
Original publication
Vertebral fractures and muscle function in glucocorticoid-treated individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a cohort study. Osteoporos Int. Published 17 April 2026. doi:10.
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