title: Add-on prednisolone in the management of cervical lymph node tuberculosis.
abstract: Studies defining role of systemic steroids in routine management of cervical lymph node tuberculosis (CLNTB) are too few and inconclusive. The present study was carried out to define the role of add-on prednisolone in the management of CLNTB. Patients of CLNTB were randomized into two groups. Group I patients received DOTS Category I treatment along with prednisolone 1mg/kg for first 4 weeks and then tapered down. Group II patients received DOTS Category I treatment along with placebo. Patients were kept under close follow up for 6 months. Response to therapy and adverse drug reactions, if any, were recorded. A total of 120 patients completed the study protocol. The two groups were similar with respect to age, sex, smoking, alcoholism, and clinical profile (p>0.5). At 2 months, 54 out of 60 patients in Group I showed symptom relief when compared with 44 out of 60 patients in Group II (p<0.001). Abscess, sinus, and/or appearance of new lymph node/s were noted in 3 and 13 patients in Group I and Group II, respectively (p<0.001). Complete resolution was seen in 57 patients in Group I when compared with only 40 patients of Group II and sequel in form of residual LN was noted in three patients of Group I when compared with 20 in Group II (p<0.001). Gastrointestinal side effects were reported by higher number of patients in Group I but skin rashes and joint pain were fewer when compared with Group II (p>0.05). All the adverse reactions were transient and amenable to symptomatic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Govt Medical College, Kota, India.
authors.forename: Moti Lal
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bunkar
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, India.
authors.forename: Shashi Prakash
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Agnihotri
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Respiratory Medicine, NIMS University, Shobha Nagar, Jaipur, India. Electronic address: Guptapr_dr@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Prahlad Ral
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Skin & VD, Govt Medical College, Kota, India.
authors.forename: Savita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone
keywords: ATT; Lymph node tuberculosis; Prednisolone