Prevalence and risk factors of bone fragility in duchenne muscular dystrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder that is due to mutations in the dystrophin gene which encodes the dystrophin protein. Many patients face an increased risk of bone fragility and develop secondary osteoporosis as a result of the combined effects of progressive muscle weakness, immobilization, and the osteotoxic properties of glucocorticoids (GCs). The present study showed that the prevalence of low BMD and fracture in DMD patients reached as high as 0.62 and 0.38, respectively, with contributing risk factors extending beyond GCs and loss of ambulation to include older age, vitamin D deficiency, fat mass accumulation, and hormonal imbalances. Therefore, clinical trials of bone-protective therapies and strategies to improve bone health in boys with DMD are urgently warranted.
Purpose: Poor skeletal health, characterized by rapid bone mineral density decline, causes substantial morbidity in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review comprehensive findings on the prevalence and risk factors of low bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures in DMD.
Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies reporting prevalence of fractures, low BMD, or data on risk factors in DMD patients. Random‑effects meta‑analyses estimated pooled prevalence of low BMD and fractures. Subgroup analyses examined variations by region, GCs…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 4,940 participants or records.
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