Long term tapering versus standard prednisolone treatment for first episode of childhood nephrotic syndrome: phase III randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine whether extending initial prednisolone treatment from eight to 16 weeks in children with idiopathic steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome improves the pattern of disease relapse.

Design

Double blind, parallel group, phase III randomised placebo controlled trial, including a cost effectiveness analysis.

Setting

125 UK National Health Service district general hospitals and tertiary paediatric nephrology centres.

Participants

237 children aged 1-14 years with a first episode of steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

Interventions

Children were randomised to receive an extended 16 week course of prednisolone (total dose 3150 mg/m²) or a standard eight week course of prednisolone (total dose 2240 mg/m²). The drug was

SUBMITTER: Webb NJA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6531851 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature