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.
Kallas de Carvalho
F
F
Internal Medicine Department, Pulmonary Division, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Filho
J T
JT
Vianna
E O
EO
Silva
G A
GA
Martinez
J A B
JA
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