title: Duration of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of asthma exacerbation; a randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine an appropriate duration for a short course of oral steroids in cases of asthma exacerbations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 1,000 bed city hospital in Kobe, Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with asthma exacerbations who needed hospital admission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following an initial treatment with a 3-day course of intravenous methylprednisolone, patients were allocated to either a 1-week (1 W) or a 2-week (2 W) course of oral prednisolone (PSL, 0.5 mg/kg).
  
  
  METHODS
  Peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and rate of unscheduled hospital visits and readmission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty patients were enrolled (10 in 1 W, 10 in 2 W). Mean PEF just before starting oral PSL in 1 W and 2 W were 51 and 58% of each patient's best value. PEF was significantly improved and to a similar degree over the course of time in both 1 W and 2 W. The frequency of unexpected hospital visits during a 3-month period after discharge was similar (2 in 1 W and 2 in 2 W). No readmission occurred during the same period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because both the 1-week and the 2-week course of oral PSL were equally effective in the treatment of asthma exacerbations, 1 week may be appropriate as the maximum duration of a short rescue course of oral steroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kobe City General Hospital, Kobe.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takakura
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katakami
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Umeda
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone