Outcomes
pain
ADVERSE EVENTS, HYPOTHYROIDISM, HYPOTHYROIDISM, RELAPSE
The primary outcome measure was the total duration of PSL treatment, including the duration of continued treatment after dose reduction or withdrawal of PSL. Secondary outcome measures were the time to pain relief (defined as a reduction in pain severity >50%), complete resolution time of pain, the total dose of PSL, relapse, hypothyroidism, and changes in laboratory parameters such as thyroid function. ‘Relapse’ was defined as the reappearance of pain symptoms after their disappearance, including relapse during a reduction in the PSL dose or after withdrawal of PSL. ‘Hypothyroidism’ was defined as a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level beyond the upper limit of normal upon treatment cessation or during follow-up. Levothyroxine was given if TSH >10 mU/L. Serious adverse events are defined in the 