Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Efficacy of tapered short course Deflazacort and Acetaminophen versus Acetaminophen in early stage periarthritis of shoulder in adults- A Randomised controlled Trial

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1Dr. Reno John Cyriac, 2Dr. Noel Sukhjit Singh, 3Dr. Rohit Theodore, 4Dr. Rajesh Paul

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate whether a tapered short term course of Deflazacort given with Acetaminophen has any additional benefit in treatment of frozen shoulder for improving pain, function and range of motion compared to Acetaminophen alone. Design: Randomised control trial. Participants: 59 participants [27 Group A, 32 Group B]. Interventions: Group A – Tapered short course Deflazacort + Acetaminophen Group B - Acetaminophen Main outcome measures: Activity related pain, DASH, range of active motion measured at presentation, 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th weeks. Results: Overall VAS score outcome at 12th week was better in group-B than group-A [2(1-3) vs. 0(0-2), p value <.05]. No significant difference was seen in DASH score at presentation (42.31±15.86 vs 36.24±18.28, p value=0.183) to 12th week (34.27±14.87 vs 25.97±20.69, p value=0.079) between the two groups. In the short term, better outcome in range of movement was seen in group A in flexion upto 3 weeks [160(150-170) vs 140(130-160), p value=0.006] and extension upto 6 weeks [40(30-43.75) vs 30(30-40), p value=0.015] which was not maintained at further follow-up at 12th week. No significant difference in abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation was seen between the two groups. Conclusion: Providing a short tapered course of oral Deflazacort as an adjuvant in treatment of frozen shoulder showed short term improvement in single plane of movement which was not maintained by 12th week and with poorer outcomes in the long term on pain and no additional benefits in daily functional ability and other movements.

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