Prednisone treatment in liver cirrhosis: A randomized clinical trial

Prednisone has been found to significantly prolong survival in females with non-alcoholic compensated cirrhosis. The present report deals with the results of a randomized trial comparing prednisone (10 mg/day) and placebo (multivitamin tablets) in 78 consecutive compensated cirrhotic patients with histological features of mild to moderate activity and fully developed nodularity. The average follow-up was 34 and 33 months in prednisone and placebo groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found with respect to survival, work activity, development of ascites, encephalopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding and side effects. However, there was a trend towards reduced survival in both males and females on prednisone. It is concluded that prednisone is not indicated in cirrhosis with mild to moderate activity.