Corticosteroids in acute severe asthma: effectiveness of low doses.

Corticosteroids in acute severe asthma: effectiveness of low doses.

BACKGROUND Although the need for corticosteroids in acute severe asthma is well established the appropriate dose is not known. METHODS The response to intravenous hydrocortisone 50 mg (low dose), 100 mg (medium dose), and 500 mg (high dose), administered every six hours for 48 hours and followed by oral prednisone, was compared in patients with acute asthma in a double blind randomised study....

Effects of corticosteroids in acute severe asthma.

Controlled trial of intravenous corticosteroids in severe acute asthma.

BACKGROUND The value of corticosteroids in severe acute asthma continues to be debated. METHODS Ninety consecutive patients admitted to the emergency room with severe acute asthma were studied in a randomised, double blind, controlled trial to determine the efficacy of corticosteroids. Eighty two patients completed the study. All received oxygen therapy and intensive bronchodilator treatment....

High-dose and low-dose systemic corticosteroids are equally efficient in acute severe asthma.

The optimal amount of systemic corticosteroids to be used in acute severe asthma remains an unresolved issue. In this double-blind, randomized study we compared two doses of methylprednisolone (1 vs 6 mg.kg-1 q.d.) in asthmatics presenting with an acute severe asthma attack, unresponsive to an intensive beta 2-agonist regimen administered during a run-in period. Concurrent therapy, including ox...

Corticosteroids in the treatment of acute asthma

Asthma is a prevalent chronic disease of the respiratory system and acute asthma exacerbations are among the most common causes of presentation to the emergency department (ED) and admission to hospital particularly in children. Bronchial airways inflammation is the most prominent pathological feature of asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), through their anti-inflammatory effects have been th...