Prednisolone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

ABSTRACT

This Study was carried out in the department of Neuromedicine, Bangabandbu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 19 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients were recruited for randomized controlled study to see the effect of prednisolone in the natural course of the disease process. Prednisolone was given in 10 patients (study group) in a dose of 0.75 mg/kg for six months. Vitamin was given in 8 patients (control group) for the same duration. One patient was dropped from the study. Patients were assessed for average muscle strength, timed function test and functional grades (pelvic and pectoral). It was found that at the end of the study, almost all the parameters were improved significantly in the prednisolone treated group (P < 0.05).