Comparison of Treatment Protocols and Safety of Dexamethasone vs. Oral Prednisone in the Treatment of Acute Lumber Radicular Pain: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of article is to compare treatment and safety dexamethasone 2mg vs prednisone 10 mg in terms of potency and efficacy in the treatment of acute lumbar radicular pain. Methods: A cohort study was conducted on 50 patients who were sequentially assigned to receive the treatment of steroid 10-day course of oral dexamethasone (n=25) and 15 days’ course of oral prednisone (n=25). Results: We concluded that oral dexamethasone and prednisone has same efficacy and showed same effect on NRS Scale but dexamethasone with a less potency and shorter course duration as compared to prednisone. Dexamethasone is superior over prednisone. Conclusion: The study concluded that treatment and safety of dexamethasone is superior over prednisone because of lower shorter treatment plan, dexamethasone possessed better efficacy and safety profile so 2mg/day of dexamethasone in treatment is suggested to be utilized for treating patient with of acute lumbar radicular pain.