***TASK***
the task is to simplify the input abstract of a biomedical literature

***INPUT***
the input is the abstract of a biomedical literature

***OUTPUT***
the output is the simplified abstract for the input abstract of a biomedical literature

***DOCUMENTATION***

***EXAMPLES***

Input: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, enrolling 1926 participants. The trial size varied from 20 to 598 patients. Most studies compared corticosteroids, particularly dexamethasone, to standard therapy. We included six studies with data at one week in the meta-analysis for pain intensity; no data were available at that time point for the remaining studies. Corticosteroid therapy resulted in less pain (measured on a scale of 0 to 10 with a lower score indicating less pain) compared to control at one week (MD 0.84 lower pain, 95% CI 1.38 to 0.30 lower; low quality evidence). Adverse events were poorly documented. Factors limiting statistical analysis included the lack of standardised measurements of pain and the use of different agents, dosages, comparisons and routes of drug delivery. Subgroup analysis according to type of cancer was not possible. The quality of this evidence was limited by the risk of bias of the studies and small sample size. The results were also compromised by attrition, with data missing for the enrolled patients. The evidence for the efficacy of corticosteroids for pain control in cancer patients is weak. Significant pain relief was noted in some studies, albeit only for a short period of time. This could be important for patients with poor clinical status. Further trials, with increased numbers of participants, are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of corticosteroids for the management cancer pain in adults, and to establish an ideal dose, duration of therapy and route of administration.
Output:

Study characteristics: We found 15 relevant studies with 1926 participants. The trial size varied from 20 to 598 patients and the duration of the included studies ranged from seven days to 42 weeks. Most studies compared corticosteroids, particularly dexamethasone, to standard therapy. Key results and quality of the evidence: Overall, we found that the current evidence is based on studies that contain only a small number of patients. The following conclusions can be made from the available evidence: 1) the evidence for the efficacy of corticosteroids for pain control in cancer patients is weak (GRADE quality of evidence for pain outcome was low); 2) significant pain relief was noted in some studies, albeit only for a short period of time; this could be important for patients who have only a short time to live; 3) overall, more studies found corticosteroids not to be of benefit; 4) it was not possible to determine whether steroids are more effective for pain in specific cancers; and 5) the side effect profile of steroids, especially in the longer term, is not well described.