title: Corticosteroid therapy in nephrotic syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the benefits and toxicity of different corticosteroid regimes in preventing relapse in steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve trials involving 868 children aged 3 months to 18 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency of relapse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A meta-analysis of five trials, which compared two months of prednisone with three months or more in the first episode, showed that the longer duration significantly reduced the risk of relapse at 12-24 months (relative risk 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.89) without an increase in adverse events. There was an inverse linear relation (relative risk 1.382 (SE 0.215) - 0.133 (SE 0.048) duration; r(2) = 0.66; p = 0.05) between the duration of treatment and risk of relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children in their first episode of steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome should be treated with prednisone for at least three months, with an increase in benefit being shown for up to seven months of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Kidney Research, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, PO Box 3515, Parramatta, Sydney, NSW 2124, Australia. Elisah@nch.edu.au
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone