Dapsone as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthma.
BACKGROUND
Oral corticosteroids are used as a treatment for asthma, however they are often associated with serious side effects. Dapsone is a sulfone with anti-inflammatory properties, therefore it may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of asthma and act as a corticosteroid-sparing agent.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to assess the safety and efficacy of adding dapsone to oral corticosteroids in adults with stable asthma who are dependent on oral corticosteroids with the intention of eventually minimizing or eliminating the use of these steroids.


METHODS
The Cochrane Airways group trials register and reference lists of potential articles were searched.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trials investigating the addition of dapsone compared to placebo in stable corticosteroid dependent asthmatics.


METHODS
No trials were found that met the selection criteria.


RESULTS
No meta-analyses could be performed.


CONCLUSIONS
No randomised controlled trials have been published, so there is no reliable evidence to show whether dapsone is beneficial or otherwise in the management of steroid-dependent asthmatic patients. There is a need for well designed randomised controlled trials to be performed. These must be carried out double-blind, since oral corticosteroid reduction requires a judgement on the part of the physician, who may be open to bias if the treatment allocation is known.
Dewey
A
A
School of Postgraduate Medicine, University of Portsmouth, Gloucester House, Cosham, Hants, UK, PO6 3LY. ann.dewey@port.ac.uk
Bara
A
A
Dean
T
T
Walters
H
H
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003622:Dapsone