title: Effect of single dose of prednisolone on hospitalisation in patients of acute bronchial asthma.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of stat dose of oral prednisolone on rate of hospitalisation in patients of acute bronchial asthma. 259 patients, aged 1-65 years presenting with acute exacerbation of asthma were randomised in a double blind fashion to receive a stat dose of oral prednisolonev (30 mg if age < 5 years; 60 mg if age > 5 years) or equivalent placebo. Then, nebulbutamol (0.15 mg/kg in 2 m/l normal saline) was given to all patients and patients were re-examined after 4 hours to decide about the hospitalisation. The study revealed that only 37 (26.42%) patients required hospitalisation and further management in prednisolone group compared to 50 (42.01%) patients in placebo group (p < 0.01). This suggests that prompt use of single oral dose of prednisolone along with routine bronchodilator therapy can significantly reduce morbidity and need for hospital admission in patients of acute bronchial asthma.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pharmacology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Nagpur.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mahakalkar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tibdewal
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Khobragade
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone