Oral Corticosteroids Tapering in Severe Asthma

Effects of corticosteroids in acute severe asthma.

A trial of oral corticosteroids for persistent systemic and airway inflammation in severe asthma

INTRODUCTION The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophils, markers of local and systemic eosinophilic inflammation, respectively, are increased in asthmatic patients. Little is known concerning the relationship between the FeNO levels and blood eosinophils in asthmatics. METHODS Twenty severe asthmatics with persistent FeNO elevation (≥40 ppb) and blood eosinophilia (≥3%)...

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....

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....

Deep inhalation bronchodilation and oral corticosteroids in asthma.

A irway smooth-muscle hyperresponsiveness is a characteristic feature of asthma.1 Airway hyperresponsiveness is most commonly identified in the laboratory by the leftward shift of bronchoconstrictor (eg, methacholine) dose-response curves. A reduction in methacholine concentration producing a 20% fall in FEV1 indicates increased ease of development of bronchoconstriction.1–2 Subjects with asthm...