Primary outcome with subgroup analyses
| Outcomes | Prednisolone | N | Placebo | N | Difference (95% CI) | P value |
| Change in PRAM score at 24 hours,* mean (SD) | −5.12 (2.14) | 198 | −4.73 (2.38) | 195 | −0.39 (−0.84 to 0.06) | 0.09 |
| Subgroup analyses | ||||||
| Salbutamol responsive | 0.94† | |||||
| Yes | −5.87 (1.97) | 114 | −5.53 (2.21) | 103 | −0.33 (−0.89 to 0.22) | |
| No | −4.11 (1.99) | 81 | −3.81 (2.25) | 90 | −0.30 (−0.94 to 0.34) | |
| Asthma Predictive Index | 0.19† | |||||
| Positive | −4.93 (2.16) | 119 | −4.78 (2.33) | 119 | −0.15 (−0.73 to 0.42) | |
| Negative | −5.41 (2.10) | 79 | −4.64 (2.47) | 76 | −0.76 (−1.49 to 0.03) | |
| Baseline PRAM score‡ | ||||||
| 3 to 8 (mild/moderate) | −4.84 (1.90) | 185 | −4.46 (2.14) | 178 | −0.38 (−0.80 to 0.03) | 0.13† |
| 9 to 12 (severe) | −9.15 (0.99) | 13 | −7.59 (2.92) | 17 | −1.57 (−3.15 to 0.01) | |
| 3 to 4 (mild) | −2.88 (1.30) | 51 | −2.71 (1.44) | 56 | −0.17 (−0.69 to 0.36) | 0.65† |
| 5 to 12 (moderate/severe) | −5.90 (1.80) | 147 | −5.54 (2.20) | 139 | −0.36 (−0.83 to 0.11) |
*PRAM score for primary outcome was measured at a mean time of 24 hours and 03 min (SD 6 hours and 33 min) in the prednisolone group and a mean time of 23 hours and 53 min (SD 7 hours and 43 min) in the placebo group (difference between means p=0.83).
†P value for subgroup interaction
‡Post hoc analysis
CI, confidence level; PRAM, Preschool Respiratory Assessment Measure; SD, standard deviation.