Long term use of deflazacort or prednisolone in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: experience at a large Brazilian center

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe progressive inherited neuromuscular disorder, caused by mutations in DMD gene. Although onset of disease can be observed during the first age live, most patients exhibit signs muscle weakness between 3 to 5 years and around 10-12 individuals loss ambulation (LoA). Standard care treatment include use steroids. The two commonly prescribed Brazil are prednisolone deflazacort. Use steroids modified natural history slowing progression motor pulmonary functional decline extending survival.