RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the lean body mass and muscle function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHOD: The subjects were thirty two DMD patients and an age-matched twelve healthy control volunteers. The DMD patients were divided into two groups; ambulatory and non-ambulatory groups. The body composition with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), body mass index (BMI) and functional state of all subjects were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in BMI among all groups. The non-ambulatory DMD group was siginificantly higher in total body fat (%) compared with other two groups (p<0.05). The mean lean body mass (%) for upper extremities did not show the significant difference; however, for lower extremities, there was a significantly lower in DMD groups (p<0.05). These findings were corresponded with low muscle functional state for lower extremities in DMD groups. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between muscle function and the percentage of mean lean body mass. The assessment of lean body mass by DEXA provides more accurate and reliable information about the muscle function in DMD.