Initial bolus of conventional versus high-dose dexamethasone in metastatic spinal cord compression.
We randomly assigned dexamethasone in an initial bolus of 10 mg IV or 100 mg IV followed by 16 mg daily orally to 37 patients with metastatic spinal cord compression. The average pain score before the start of treatment was 5.2 (SD = 2.8) and decreased significantly (p less than 0.001) to 3.8 at 3 hrs, 2.8 at 24 hrs, and 1.4 after 1 week. There were no differences between the conventional and high-dose group on pain, ambulation, or bladder function.
Vecht
C J
CJ
Department of Neurology, Dr. Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam,The Netherlands.
Haaxma-Reiche
H
H
van Putten
W L
WL
de Visser
M
M
Vries
E P
EP
Twijnstra
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology
D003907:Dexamethasone