Our study provides a framework for providing information to patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their families when introducing GC therapy. The study also highlights the importance of collecting longitudinal natural history data on patients treated according to standardised protocols, and clearly identifies the benefits and the side-effect profile of two treatment regimens, which will help with informed choices and implementation of targeted surveillance.

Based on studies with relatively small sample size, fragility fractures are commonly reported in glucocorticoid (GC)-treated boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). OBJECTIVE To determine the fracture burden and growth impairment in a large contemporary cohort of boys with DMD in the United Kingdom and in relation to GC regimen. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective review of fracture morbidity and growth from 832 boys with DMD in the UK NorthStar database (2006-2015), which systematically captures information from 23 participating centers. A total of 564 boys had more than 1 visit. No numbers of boys who refused were collected, but informal data from 2 centers in London and from Scotland show that refusal is very low. Data were analyzed between October 2006 and October 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Fracture incidence rate per 10 000 person-years was determined. Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with first fracture. RESULTS Median age at baseline was 6.9 years (interquartile range, 4.9-7.2 years). At baseline, new fractures were reported in 7 of 564 participants (1.2%). During a median follow-up of 4 years (interquartile range, 2.0-6.0 years), incident fractures were reported in 156 of 564 participants (27.7%), corresponding to an overall fracture incidence rate of 682 per 10 000 person-years (95% CI, 579-798). The highest fracture incidence rate was observed in those treated with daily deflazacort at 1367 per 10 000 person-years (95% CI, 796-2188). After adjusting for age at last visit, mean hydrocortisone equivalent dose, mobility status, and bisphosphonate use prior to first fracture, boys treated with daily deflazacort had a 16.0-fold increased risk for first fracture (95% CI, 1.4-180.8; P = .03). Using adjusted regression models, change in height standard deviation scores was −1.6 SD lower (95% CI, −3.0 to −0.1; P = .03) in those treated with daily deflazacort compared with GC-naive boys, whereas there were no statistical differences in the other GC regimen. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this large group of boys with DMD with longitudinal data, we document a high fracture burden. Boys treated with daily deflazacort had the highest fracture incidence rate and the greatest degree of linear growth failure. Clinical trials of primary bone protective therapies and strategies to improve growth in boys with DMD are urgently needed, but stratification based on GC regimen may be necessary.

Key PointsQuestionWhat is the difference in clinical outcomes among 3 corticosteroid regimens (0.75 mg/kg of daily prednisone, 0.90 mg/kg of daily deflazacort, or 0.75 mg/kg of intermittent prednisone for 10 days on and then 10 days off) as initial treatment for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy?FindingsThis randomized clinical trial included 196 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the clinical outcome was a global outcome that incorporated a measure of rising from the floor, forced vital capacity, and global satisfaction with treatment assessed over 3 years. Daily prednisone and daily deflazacort resulted in significantly better outcomes compared with intermittent prednisone; there was no significant difference between the 2 daily regimens.MeaningThe findings support the use of a daily corticosteroid regimen over an intermittent prednisone regimen that alternates dosing for 10 days on and 10 days off as initial treatment for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

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