Adrenocorticosteroid therapy in alcoholic hepatitis. A prospective, double-blind randomized study.
In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study of prednisolone therapy of acute alcoholic hepatitis, 39% of the total group of 28 patients died. Mortality and cumulative survival were similar in steroid- and placebo-treated patients. After 14 days of therapy, the serum albumin concentration and white blood count were significantly higher in the steroid group, but all other parameters were similar. An increased risk of fungal infection appeared to be associated with steroid therapy.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003237:Connecticut; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000150:complications; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications; D010919:Placebos; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D010919:Placebos; D012709:Serum Albumin; D011239:Prednisolone; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001663:Bilirubin