Oral steroids for bronchiectasis (stable and acute exacerbations).
BACKGROUND
Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of bronchiectasis. Two small studies have shown small benefits from inhaled corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids may be of benefit in bronchiectasis


OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of oral corticosteroids in acute and stable bronchiectasis


METHODS
The Cochrane Airways Group clinical trials register, derived from MEDLINE, EMBASE and hand searching of major journals, was searched using the terms bronchiectasis AND corticosteroid* OR (beclomethasone, cortisone, deflazacort, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and triamcinolone


METHODS
Only randomised controlled trials were considered


METHODS
No trials met the inclusion criteria for the review


RESULTS
No randomised controlled trials were identified


CONCLUSIONS
There are no randomised trials upon which to make recommendations about the use of oral corticosteroids in acute or stable bronchiectasis.
Lasserson
T
T
Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, UK, SW17 0RE. tlassers@sghms.ac.uk
Holt
K
K
Greenstone
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D013256:Steroids
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids