Moderate to severe side effects breakdown, χ2 analysis (intermittent prednisolone n=191; daily prednisolone n=169)
| Side effects | Intermittent, n (%) | Daily, n (%) | χ2 p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temper tantrums | 54 (28) | 67 (40) | 0.02* |
| Mood swings | 56 (29) | 64 (38) | 0.08 |
| Aggressiveness | 41 (21) | 49 (29) | 0.09 |
| Hyperactivity | 29 (15) | 39 (23) | 0.05* |
| Emotional liability | 23 (12) | 32 (19) | 0.06 |
| Insomnia | 8 (4) | 19 (11) | 0.01* |
| Cushingoid features | 28 (15) | 56 (33) | <0.01* |
| GI symptoms | 12 (6) | 23 (14) | 0.01* |
| Increased appetite | 73 (38) | 78 (46) | 0.1 |
| Hypertension | 10 (5) | 38 (22) | <0.01* |
| Vertebral fractures | 8 (4) | 14 (8) | 0.1 |
| Long bone fractures | 13 (7) | 9 (5) | 0.5 |
| BMD z-score ≤ −2.5* | 9 (5) | 14 (8) | 0.1 |
| Cataracts | 2 (1) | 4 (2) | 0.3 |
| Hirsutism | 19 (10) | 24 (14) | 0.2 |
| Easy bruising | 5 (3) | 7 (4) | 0.4 |
*BMD z score=lumbar spine.
BMD, bone mineral density; GI, gastrointestinal.