Open AccessThe Relationship Between Bone Mineral Density and Cardiovascular Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Author(s) -
Tara Kervin,
Mathula Thangarajh
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos currents
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.282
H-Index - 49
ISSN - 2157-3999
DOI - 10.1371/currents.md.ee7ac0ec8c19a47b114737f9c2714779
Subject(s) - medicine , ejection fraction , duchenne muscular dystrophy , retrospective cohort study , bone mineral , cohort , cardiology , medical record , coronary artery disease , cohort study , muscular dystrophy , heart failure , osteoporosis
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic disorder that causes progressive skeletal and cardiac muscle weakness in boys. Cardiac dysfunction is a frequent cause of death in DMD. Glucocorticoids are the standard of care in DMD. The long-term use of oral glucocorticoids in DMD is complicated by poor bone health. Epidemiological studies suggest a biological link between the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases. Whether an association between low BMD and cardiac dysfunction occurs in DMD boys has not yet been studied. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the relationship between BMD and cardiovascular health in DMD.