Conclusions Examining individual studies it appears that DFZ improves strength and functional outcomes compared to placebo , but it remains unclear if it has a benefit over prednisone on similar outcomes .
Two trials found that DFZ causes less weight gain than prednisone
Background To complete a systematic review and meta- analysis based on the clinical question : Is Deflazacort ( DFZ ) , a prednisolone derivative , an effective therapy for improving strength , with acceptable side effects , in children with Duchenne Dystrophy ( DD ) ?
A multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial of deflazacort versus prednisone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
We r and omized 18 Duchenne muscular dystrophy ( DMD ) boys whose age ranged from 5.2 to 14.6 years ( mean , 7.3 years ) for treatment with either deflazacort ( 0.9 mg/kg/day ) or prednisone ( 0.75 mg/kg/day ) on the basis of age and functional score at the onset of treatment . We followed the patients every 3 months for 1 year , evaluating four limb muscles with the Medical Research Council scale and performance of four functions ( walking , climbing stairs , Gowers ' maneuver , and rising from a chair ) . Side effects were monitored by a question naire and by routine blood examination , and weight and height were recorded at each visit . At 12 months , the effect of both steroids was examined by comparing the status of the treated patients with another group of untreated DMD patients that served as natural history control . The two steroids were equally effective in improving motor function and functional performances . At 9 months , the average weight increase with respect to baseline value was 5 % ( 2 kg ) in the deflazacort group but 18 % in the prednisone group ( P < 0 . 005 ) , and the change remained significant after 12 months ( P < 0.05 ) . Other minor but nonsignificant side effects were observed . Steroid treatment with deflazacort appears to cause fewer side effects than with prednisone , particularly weight gain , which could be important to maximize motor performances
Conclusions Examining individual studies it appears that DFZ improves strength and functional outcomes compared to placebo , but it remains unclear if it has a benefit over prednisone on similar outcomes .
Two trials found that DFZ causes less weight gain than prednisone
Background To complete a systematic review and meta- analysis based on the clinical question : Is Deflazacort ( DFZ ) , a prednisolone derivative , an effective therapy for improving strength , with acceptable side effects , in children with Duchenne Dystrophy ( DD ) ?