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Evaluation of effects of continued corticosteroid treatment on cardiac and pulmonary function in non‐ambulatory males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy from MD STARnet
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Evaluation of effects of continued corticosteroid treatment on cardiac and pulmonary function in non‐ambulatory males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy from MD STARnet

Russell J. Butterfield, Sergey Kirkov, Kristin M. Conway, Nicholas Johnson, Dennis Matthews, Han Phan, Bo Cai, Pangaja Paramsothy, Shiny Thomas and Marcia L. Feldkamp
Muscle & nerve, Vol.66(1), pp.15-23
07/2022
DOI: 10.1002/mus.27490
PMCID: PMC9197945
PMID: 34994466
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/9197945View
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction/Aims Corticosteroids have been shown to improve muscle strength and delay loss of ambulation (LOA) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and are considered standard of care despite significant side‐effects. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether corticosteroid treatment after LOA is beneficial for cardiac or pulmonary functions among boys with DMD. Methods We used the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network (MD STARnet) to characterize associations between corticosteroid use and onset of abnormal left ventricular (LV) function or abnormal percent predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC) among 398 non‐ambulatory boys with DMD. Kaplan–Meier curve estimation was used to compare time to onset by corticosteroid use groups; Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results We found no differences in time to onset of abnormal LV function by corticosteroid use groups. We observed a longer time from LOA to first abnormal ppFVC in boys that were treated with corticosteroid ≥1 y beyond LOA compared with those with no corticosteroid use or those who stopped corticosteroid use within 1 y of LOA. Discussion Our findings show no association of corticosteroid use beyond LOA with the onset of abnormal LV function, but a significant association with a delay in onset of abnormal ppFVC. Prospective studies of corticosteroid use in boys with DMD who have lost ambulation may identify benefits and can better elucidate risks, allowing for more effective counseling of patients on continuing treatment after LOA. See Editorial on pages 1‐2 in this issue.
cardiomyopathy corticosteroid Duchenne muscular dystrophy

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