title: High-dose methylprednisolone as initial therapy in patients with acute bronchospasm.
abstract: The use of steroids in treating acute respiratory obstruction is still controversial. In this double-blind controlled trial, we decided to examine the beneficial effects of a single large dose of methylprednisolone (MSSP), using objective criteria. In the emergency setting, methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) has been shown to decrease the need for hospital admission in patients with acute bronchospasm. No difference in this improvement was seen among patients in the steroid-dependent or non-steroid-dependent populations. Based on our findings, we suggest that the early use of single-dose steroid therapy is appropriate treatment for patients with acute bronchospastic attacks.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D008775:Methylprednisolone