Inhaled bronchodilators for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease.
BACKGROUND
Bronchodilators are used to treat bronchial hyper-responsiveness in asthma. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness may be a component of the acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease. Therefore, bronchodilators may be useful in the treatment of acute chest syndrome.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the benefits and risks associated with the use of bronchodilators in people with acute chest syndrome.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group trials register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearching relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Additional searches were carried out on MEDLINE (1966 to 2002) and EMBASE (1981 to 2002).Date of the most recent search of the Group's haemoglobinopathies register: May 2002.


METHODS
Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials. Trials using quasi-randomisation methods will be included in future updates of this review if there is sufficient evidence that the treatment and control groups are similar at baseline.


METHODS
We found no trials investigating the use of bronchodilators for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease.


RESULTS
We found no trials investigating the use of bronchodilators for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease.


CONCLUSIONS
If bronchial hyper-responsiveness is an important component of some episodes of acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease, the use of inhaled bronchodilators may be indicated. There is need for a well-designed, adequately powered randomised controlled trial to assess the benefits and risks of the addition of inhaled bronchodilators to established therapies for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease.
Knight-Madden
J A
JA
Sickle Cell Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
Hambleton
I R
IR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D013577:Syndrome
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents