title: Glucocorticoids for the treatment of anaphylaxis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anaphylaxis is a serious hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and may result in death. Anaphylaxis guidelines recommend glucocorticoids for the treatment of people experiencing anaphylaxis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to assess the benefits and harms of glucocorticoid treatment during episodes of anaphylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our previous version we searched the literature until September 2009. In this version we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 3), MEDLINE (Ovid) (1956 to September 2011), EMBASE (Ovid) (1982 to September 2011), CINAHL (EBSCOhost) (to September 2011). We also searched the UK National Research Register and websites listing ongoing trials, and contacted international experts in anaphylaxis in an attempt to locate unpublished material.
  
  
  METHODS
  We planned to include randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing glucocorticoids with any control (either placebo, adrenaline (epinephrine), an antihistamine, or any combination of these).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two authors independently assessed articles for inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We are, based on this review, unable to make any recommendations for the use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of anaphylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Allergy&Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences: GP Section, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh,UK.
authors.forename: Karen Jui Lin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: F Estelle R
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheikh
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids