Bone Health Determinants in Ambulant Prepubertal Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Treated With Deflazacort: Findings From a 3‐Year Study

ABSTRACT Introduction/Aims Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is complicated by bone fragility. This study aimed to elucidate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition over time and to explore associations with adiposity measures in DMD. Methods A three‐year follow‐up analysis was performed of total body (TB) and lumbar spine (LS) dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements, anthropometric measures, Tanner stage and bone turnover biomarkers assessments, and the incidence of fragility fractures in 26 ambulant prepubertal DMD patients treated with deflazacort (DFZ). Results Age at baseline was 7.7 years (interquartile range: 6–9.2). The TB BMD Z‐score declined over time and was negatively related to the TB fat mass percentage and fat mass index (p