Abstract | BACKGROUND: MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on adult patients with neck/ shoulder pain for at least 1 month with no alarm symptoms/sings of malignancy, infection, or severe myelopathy, and no contraindication for corticosteroid use. Patients were allocated to receive prednisolone 50 mg/day for 5 days that was tapered within the following 5 days, or placebo. All patients also received acetaminophen 325 mg three times a day and ranitidine 150 mg two times a day. Neck disability index (NDI) and the verbal rating scale (VRS) were used to evaluate the outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients (31 female, mean ± SD age = 46.2 ± 9.0 years) completed the study. A significant decrease was observed regarding the NDI and VAS scores from baseline to the end of study in both groups (P < 0.001). However, for both the NDI (35.7 ± 21.4 vs. 12.9 ± 10.2) and VRS (4.4 ± 2.7 vs. 1.6 ± 1.2), the amount of decrease was greater in the prednisone compared with the placebo group (P < 0.001). Based on the clinically important change in NDI, pain was improved in 75.8% (22/29) of the prednisolone and 30% (9/30) of the placebo group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A short course of oral steroid therapy with prednisolone is highly effective in reducing pain in patients referring with uncomplicated CR. Further studies are warranted on dosing, duration, and long-term efficacy and safety of oral steroid therapy, compared with injection approach.
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Authors | Majid Ghasemi, Ali Masaeli, Majid Rezvani, Vahid Shaygannejad, Khodayar Golabchi, Rasul Norouzi |
Journal | Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
(J Res Med Sci)
Vol. 18
Issue Suppl 1
Pg. S43-6
(Mar 2013)
ISSN: 1735-1995 [Print] India |
PMID | 23961284
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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