Do steroids interfere in dyspnoea sensation?
Dyspnoea remains a remarkable clinical problem and a therapeutic challenge, mainly in chronic respiratory conditions. This study investigated the potential effects of steroids on dyspnoea sensation regardless of their pulmonary anti-inflammatory actions. Sixteen healthy men (mean age +/- SD = 22.5 +/- 1.6 years) developed uncomfortable breathing by the use of inspiratory resistors (loads of 0, 7, 14 and 21 cm H2O/l/s) and breathholding 6 h after taking 40 mg of prednisone (Pred) or placebo (Plac). Respiratory discomfort during breathing with loads was evaluated with a 100 mm visual analog scale. The maximum voluntary apnoea time did not differ between the prednisone and placebo days (Plac = 96 +/- 11.8 s x Pred = 105 +/- 12.2 s) and prednisone did not influence the dyspnoea sensation induced by different inspiratory loads (0 cm H2O/l/s: Pred = 2.8 mm x Plac = 1.9 mm; 7 cm H2O/l/s: Pred = 18.3 mm x Plac = 18.6 mm; 14 cm H2O/l/s; Pred = 33.0 mm x Plac = 34.1 mm; 21 cm H2O/l/s: Pred = 48.1 mm x Plac = 49.6 mm). Prednisone intake was associated with a significant increase in minute ventilation during breathing with no inspiratory loads (Pred = 11.91 +/- 1.28 l/min- x Plac = 9.95 +/- 0.86 l/min). Although steroids certainly may improve respiratory conditions due to anti-inflammatory actions, available evidence does not support any specific beneficial effect of these drugs on these perception of dyspnoea itself.
Internal Medicine Department, Pulmonary Division, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
F
F
Kallas de Carvalho
J T
JT
Filho
E O
EO
Vianna
G A
GA
Silva
J A B
JA
Martinez
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013147:Spirometry; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D017211:Treatment Failure
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone