Table 2.

Sex, monitoring institution, and period of evaluation for patients in the Steroids and Untreated groups

		Steroids		Untreated		Total
		n	%	n	%	n	%
Sex	Female	42	73.68	19	65.52	61	70.93
	Male	15	26.32	10	34.48	25	29.07
Institution	St. Marianna	50	87.72	14	48.28	64	74.42*
	Other	7	12.28	15	51.72	22	25.58
Period	Short-Term	23	40.35	15	51.72	38	44.19
	Long-Term	34	59.65	14	48.28	48	55.81
Total		57	66.28	29	33.72	86	100.00

Patients in the “Steroids” group were treated with prednisolone daily (or on alternating days), whereas those in the “Untreated” group were never treated during the period of evaluation. St. Marianna refers to St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital; period refers to the period of evaluation; Long-Term is defined as > 3 years; and Short-Term is defined as < 3 years. Data are summarized using patient counts and percentages. p-values were calculated using Fisher’s exact test (2-tailed)

*Significant (p < 0.001)