Dr. Angelina Bernier
Email
angelina@ufl.edu
Phone
(352) 265-7337
Faculty Department/Division
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
This project is primarily:
Case Review
Research Project Description:
Children diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) experience a decline in ambulatory function due to deterioration in muscle tone and strength. Increased bone fragility intrinsic to the disease process then leads to loss of ambulation with fractures typically occurring early in the second decade of life. Glucocorticoid therapy, considered the standard of care with a reduction in muscle inflammation and damage, prolongs ambulation; however, this treatment significantly exacerbates bone fragility and fractures. Implementation of optimal supplementation, newer screening techniques, reinforced physical therapy management and bisphosphonates therapy when indicated, may have a significant impact on this significant complication of fractures in the DMD population. Our endocrine group has designed a protocol based on the guidelines for management of bone health released in 2018. The aim of this project is to 1) coordinate implementation of this screening and treatment protocol for bone health and 2) evaluate the efficacy of this implementation with monitoring of timely testing and therapy recommendations in addition to tracking of bone outcomes such as fracture frequency.
The medical student would participate in the analysis and interpretation of the results. The medical student will also make contributions to a chart review as well as an author on all other related manuscripts.
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No