High-dose corticosteroids in severe acute asthma.
Twenty-six patients admitted to hospital for treatment of severe exacerbations of asthma unresponsive to bronchodilators were assigned to high-, medium-, or low-dose corticosteroid treatment regimens. The rates of recovery were assessed by changes in pulse rate, peak expiratory flow rate, and spirometric measurements and were not related to the dose of corticosteroids given. Very high systemic doses of corticosteroids do not offer significant advantages in treating severe exacerbations of asthma.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011239:Prednisolone; D010100:Oxygen; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone