Glucocorticoids are the standard treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). There is no consensus on the type of steroid and the method of administration (doses, frequency). North American researchers analyzed data from the placebo arms of two clinical trials testing the effectiveness of ataluren in patients with a stop mutation in the DMD gene, who represent 10 to 13% of the total DMD patient population. This meta-analysis allowed:
- to confirm, in this specific population, the superiority of deflazacort over prednisone or prednisolone over the 48 weeks of observation,
- the gain on the 6-minute walk test was 40 meters on average,
- going up and down stairs was also improved.
