Fig. 4.

Weekly steroids do not significantly alter fat mass. (A) Weights remained stable through the study duration (77.7 (±4.5) to 78.5 (±4.6) kg (n = 18, p = 0.269). Body Mass Index also remained stable (26.1 to 26.2, p = 0.363). (B) Using DEXA to estimate total mass, similar results were obtained 78.4 (±4.5) to 78.6 (±4.7) kg (n = 15, p = 0.277). Body fat % was 48.4 (±2.5) at study onset and 48.2 (±2.5) % at study end (n = 15, p = 0.903). (C) Lean mass was 37.5 (±2.5) at study onset compared to 38.1 (±2.6) kg at study end (n = 15, p = 0.135). Upper extremity lean mass increased by 0.13 kg, from 4.04 (±0.38) to 4169 (±0.40) kg at end of study (n = 15, p = 0.008). Lower extremity lean mass increased by 0.51 kg, from 9.58 (±0.80) to 10.09 (±0.76) kg at end of study (n = 15, p = 0.005). Fat mass remained stable from 38.2 (±3.2) to 38.1 (±3.1) kg at end of study (n = 15, p = 0.639). Histograms depict single values and mean ±SEM; curves depict individual patient changes; Paired t-test, nonparametric, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test were used.