Table 2

Palatability of oral corticosteroids in SA

Total number of patients
(n=122)
NoTaste of medicationMean of taste score (1–5)*SD95% CI for meanp-Value
Dislike very much (%)Dislike a little (%)Not sure or neutral (%)
Day 1n=122Prednisolone base5246 (89)6 (11)01.120.32(1.03 to 1.21)<0.0001†‡
Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate3718 (49)15 (40)4 (11)1.620.68(1.39 to 1.85)
Dexamethasone339 (27)16 (49)8 (24)1.970.73(1.71 to 2.23)
Day 2n=82Prednisolone base4529 (64)13 (29)3 (7)1.420.62(1.24 to 1.61)<0.0001*
Prednisolone sodium phosphate374 (11)25 (68)8 (21)2.110.57(1.92 to 2.30)
Day 3n=74Prednisolone base4217 (40)22 (53)3 (7)1.670.61(1.48 to 1.86)<0.0001*
Prednisolone sodium phosphate321 (3)18 (56)13 (41)2.380.55(2.18 to 2.57)
Day 4n=11Prednisolone base101 (10)7 (70)2 (20)2.10.57(1.69 to 2.51)0.364±
Prednisolone sodium phosphate1001 (100)3
Day 5n=5Prednisolone base503 (60)2 (40)2.40.54
  • *1=dislike very much, 2=dislike a little, 3=not sure, 4=like a little, 5=like very much.

  • †Significant results.

  • ‡Fisher’s exact test.

  • SA, Saudi Arabia.