Randomized, blinded trial of weekend vs daily prednisone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To perform a double-blind, randomized study comparing efficacy and safety of daily and weekend prednisone in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Methods

A total of 64 boys with DMD who were between 4 and 10 years of age were randomized at 1 of 12 centers of the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group. Efficacy and safety of 2 prednisone schedules (daily 0.75 mg/kg/day and weekend 10 mg/kg/wk) were evaluated over 12 months.

Results

Equivalence was met for weekend and daily dosing of prednisone for the primary outcomes of quantitative muscle testing (QMT) arm score and QMT leg score. Secondary strength scores for QMT elbow flexors also showed equivalence between the 2 treatment groups. Overall side effect profiles of height and weight,

SUBMITTER: Escolar DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3146308 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature