glucocorticoids

Arthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability that affects nearly one-third of older US adults (age ≥65 years). While osteoarthritis (OA) predominates, many have inflammatory arthritis (IA), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis, and crystal arthropathies.1 Recognition of IA is frequently delayed for longer than a year in older adults due to atypical and overlapping presentations.2 Untreated IA can lead to irreversible damage, functional decline, and prolonged glucocorticoid exposure. Joint pain is often initially evaluated by primary care clinicians; therefore, timely recognition and early management are essential. This article highlights unique aspects of IA in older adults and offers practical guidance.

Author/s:

Jiha Lee, Justin B Levinson, Una E Makris

Adrenal Insufficiency in Adults: A Review

Megan George — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:23:08 +0000

Date Added:

August 28, 2025

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publication Date:

August 26, 2025

Issue:

334

Volume:

Pages:

714-725

URL:

Adrenal Insufficiency in Adults: A Review

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2025.5485

Keywords

PMID (1):

40522647

A review of what we know about adrenal insufficiency in adults. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Importance: Adrenal insufficiency is a syndrome of cortisol deficiency and is categorized as primary, secondary, or glucocorticoid induced. Although primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency are rare, affecting less than 279 per 1 million individuals, glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency is common.

Observations: Primary adrenal insufficiency, which involves deficiency of all adrenocortical hormones, is caused by autoimmune destruction, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, pharmacological inhibition (eg, high doses of azole antifungal therapy), infection (eg, tuberculosis, fungal infections), or surgical removal of adrenal cortical tissue. Secondary adrenal insufficiency is caused by disorders affecting the pituitary gland, such as tumors, hemorrhage, inflammatory or infiltrative conditions (eg, hypophysitis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis), surgery, radiation therapy, or medications that suppress corticotropin production, such as opioids. Glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency is caused by administration of supraphysiological doses of glucocorticoids. Patients with adrenal insufficiency typically present with nonspecific symptoms, including fatigue (50%-95%), nausea and vomiting (20%-62%), and anorexia and weight loss (43%-73%). Glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency should be suspected in patients who have recently tapered or discontinued a supraphysiological dose of glucocorticoids. Early-morning (approximately 8 am) measurements of serum cortisol, corticotropin, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are used to diagnose adrenal insufficiency. Primary adrenal insufficiency is typically characterized by low morning cortisol levels (<5 µg/dL), high corticotropin levels, and low DHEAS levels. Patients with secondary and glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency typically have low or intermediate morning cortisol levels (5-10 µg/dL) and low or low-normal corticotropin and DHEAS levels. Patients with intermediate early-morning cortisol levels should undergo repeat early-morning cortisol testing or corticotropin stimulation testing (measurement of cortisol before and 60 minutes after administration of cosyntropin, 250 µg). Treatment of adrenal insufficiency involves supplemental glucocorticoids (eg, hydrocortisone, 15-25 mg daily, or prednisone, 3-5 mg daily). Mineralocorticoids (eg, fludrocortisone, 0.05-0.3 mg daily) should be added for patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal crisis, a syndrome that can cause hypotension and shock, hyponatremia, altered mental status, and death if untreated, can occur in patients with adrenal insufficiency who have inadequate glucocorticoid therapy, acute illness, and physical stress. Therefore, all patients with adrenal insufficiency should be instructed how to increase glucocorticoids during acute illness and prescribed injectable glucocorticoids (eg, hydrocortisone, 100 mg intramuscular injection) to prevent or treat adrenal crisis.

Conclusions and relevance: Although primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency are rare, glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency is a common condition. Diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency involves early-morning measurement of cortisol, corticotropin, and DHEAS. All patients with adrenal insufficiency should be treated with glucocorticoids and instructed how to prevent and treat adrenal crisis.

Author/s:

Anand Vaidya, James Findling, Irina Bancos

As-Needed Albuterol–Budesonide in Mild Asthma

Megan George — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:34:39 +0000

Date Added:

August 5, 2025

Journal/Publication:

The New England Journal of Medicine

Publication Date:

July 10, 2025

URL:

As-Needed Albuterol–Budesonide in Mild Asthma

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1056/NEJMoa2504544

Keywords

PMID (1):

40388330

MeSH

Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists* / administration & dosage

Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists* / adverse effects

Albuterol* / administration & dosage

Albuterol* / adverse effects

Asthma*

Asthma* / drug therapy

Bronchodilator Agents* / administration & dosage

Bronchodilator Agents* / adverse effects

Budesonide* / administration & dosage

Budesonide* / adverse effects

glucocorticoids

Use of a combination of albuterol and a corticosteroid is becoming the standard treatment for asthma exacerbations. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Background: As-needed use of albuterol-budesonide has been shown to result in a significantly lower risk of severe asthma exacerbation than as-needed use of albuterol alone among patients with moderate-to-severe asthma. Data on albuterol-budesonide in mild asthma are needed.

Methods: We conducted a fully virtual, decentralized, phase 3b, multicenter, double-blind, event-driven trial involving persons 12 years of age or older with disease that was uncontrolled despite treatment for mild asthma with a short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) with or without a low-dose inhaled glucocorticoid or leukotriene-receptor antagonist. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a fixed-dose combination of 180 μg of albuterol and 160 μg of budesonide (with each dose consisting of two inhaler actuations of 90 μg and 80 μg, respectively) or 180 μg of albuterol (with each dose consisting of two inhaler actuations of 90 μg) on an as-needed basis for up to 52 weeks. The primary end point was the first severe asthma exacerbation, assessed in a time-to-event analysis, in the on-treatment efficacy population, and the key secondary end point was the first severe exacerbation in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary end points included the annualized rate of severe asthma exacerbations and exposure to systemic glucocorticoids.

Results: A total of 2516 participants underwent randomization; 1797 (71.4%) completed the trial. Of 2421 participants in the full analysis population (1209 assigned to the albuterol-budesonide group and 1212 to the albuterol group), 97.2% were 18 years of age or older; 74.4% used a SABA alone at baseline. The trial was stopped for efficacy at a prespecified interim analysis. A severe exacerbation occurred in 5.1% of the participants in the albuterol-budesonide group and in 9.1% of those in the albuterol group in the on-treatment efficacy population (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.73) and in 5.3% and 9.4%, respectively, in the intention-to-treat population (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.73) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). The annualized rate of severe asthma exacerbations was lower with albuterol-budesonide than with albuterol (0.15 vs. 0.32; rate ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.64), as was the mean annualized total dose of systemic glucocorticoids (23.2 vs. 61.9 mg per year). Adverse events were similar in the two treatment groups.

Conclusions: As-needed use of albuterol-budesonide resulted in a lower risk of a severe asthma exacerbation than as-needed use of albuterol alone among participants with disease that was uncontrolled despite treatment for mild asthma. (Funded by Bond Avillion 2 Development and AstraZeneca; BATURA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05505734.) See also in NEJM Evidence: Participants as Partners in Decentralized Clinical Trials.

Author/s:

Craig LaForce, Frank Albers, Anna Danilewicz, Allison Jeynes-Ellis

Adrenal Insufficiency in Adults: A Review

Hope Smashey — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 19:01:00 +0000

Date Added:

July 1, 2025

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publication Date:

June 16, 2025

URL:

Adrenal Insufficiency in Adults: A Review

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2025.5485

Keywords

adrenal

adrenal insufficiency

Adults

PMID (1):

40522647

MeSH

Adrenal insufficiency

cortisol

glucocorticoid

secondary adrenal insufficiency

congenital adrenal hyperplasia

A review of adrenal insufficiency in adults. Not a common problem, but one that primary care clinicians should know a lot about. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Author/s:

Anand Vaidya, James Findling, Irina Bancos

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Review

Alex Haga — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:50:07 +0000

Date Added:

April 16, 2024

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publisher:

JAMA

Publication Date:

April 8, 2024

URL:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Review

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2024.2315

Keywords

A review of current knowledge about the diagnosis and management of systemic lupus erythematosus. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Importance
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and immune-mediated injury to multiple organ systems, including the mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and kidney systems. Approximately 3.4 million people worldwide have received a diagnosis of SLE.

Observations
Approximately 90% of people with SLE are female. Although there are no uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria for SLE, the 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (formerly the European League Against Rheumatism)/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria developed for scientific study are an estimated 96.1% sensitive and 93.4% specific for SLE. These classification criteria include both clinical factors, such as fever, cytopenia, rash, arthritis, and proteinuria, which may be indicative of lupus nephritis; and immunologic measures, such as SLE-specific autoantibodies and low complement levels. Approximately 40% of people with SLE develop lupus nephritis, and an estimated 10% of people with lupus nephritis develop end-stage kidney disease after 10 years. The primary goal of treatment is to achieve disease remission or quiescence, defined by minimal symptoms, low levels of autoimmune inflammatory markers, and minimal systemic glucocorticoid requirement while the patient is treated with maintenance doses of immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive medications. Treatment goals include reducing disease exacerbations, hospitalizations, and organ damage due to the disease or treatment toxicity. Hydroxychloroquine is standard of care for SLE and has been associated with a significant reduction in mortality. Treatments in addition to hydroxychloroquine are individualized, with immunosuppressive agents, such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide, typically used for treating moderate to severe disease. Three SLE medications were recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration: belimumab (for active SLE in 2011 and for lupus nephritis in 2020), voclosporin (for lupus nephritis), and anifrolumab (for active SLE).

Conclusions and Relevance
Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with immune-mediated damage to multiple organs and increased mortality. Hydroxychloroquine is first-line therapy and reduces disease activity, morbidity, and mortality. When needed, additional immunosuppressive and biologic therapies include azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, belimumab, voclosporin, and anifrolumab.

Author/s:

Siegel, C.H., Sammaritano, L.R.

Nonprescription Medications for Adults With Allergic Rhinitis

Erin Blanchette — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 21:34:40 +0000

Date Added:

January 3, 2024

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publisher:

American Medical Association

Publication Date:

December 21, 2023

URL:

Nonprescription Medications for Adults With Allergic Rhinitis

Type:

Patient Education Materials

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2023.20171

Keywords

Allergic rhinitis

allergy and clinical immunology

PMID (1):

38127357

MeSH

glucocorticoids

Nasal Decongestants

Nasal Sprays

Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

Histamine

Nonprescription Drugs

Rhinorrhea

allergens

A summary for patients of non-prescription agents available for management of allergic rhinitis. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Nonprescription medications for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) are over-the-counter drugs that treat symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing.

Author/s:

Sarah E Vordenberg

Cost-effectiveness of Physical Therapy vs Intra-articular Glucocorticoid Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Secondary Analysis From a Randomized Clinical Trial

Saige Blanchard — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

January 31, 2022

Journal/Publication:

JAMA Network Open

Publisher:

JAMA Network Open

Publication Date:

January 4, 2022

Issue:

Volume:

URL:

Cost-effectiveness of Physical Therapy vs Intra-articular Glucocorticoid Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Secondary Analysis From a Randomized Clinical Trial

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42709

Keywords

physical therapy

Knee osteoarthritis

Randomized Clinical Trial

Glucocorticoid Injection

PMID (1):

35072722

MeSH

Humans

Cost-Benefit Analysis

glucocorticoids

osteoarthritis, knee

quality-adjusted life years

Physical therapy provides greater long term benefits for patients with knee osteoarthritis than corticosteroid injection. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Importance: Physical therapy and glucocorticoid injections are initial treatment options for knee osteoarthritis, but available data indicate that most patients receive one or the other, suggesting they may be competing interventions. The initial cost difference for treatment can be substantial, with physical therapy often being more expensive at the outset, and cost-effectiveness analysis can aid patients and clinicians in making decisions.

Objective: To investigate the incremental cost-effectiveness between physical therapy and intra-articular glucocorticoid injection as initial treatment strategies for knee osteoarthritis.

Design, setting, and participants: This economic evaluation is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial performed from October 1, 2012, to May 4, 2017. Health economists were blinded to study outcomes and treatment allocation. A randomized sample of patients seen in primary care and physical therapy clinics with a radiographically confirmed diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis were evaluated from the clinical trial with 96.2% follow-up at 1 year.

Interventions: Physical therapy or glucocorticoid injection.

Main outcomes and measures: The main outcome was incremental cost-effectiveness between 2 alternative treatments. Acceptability curves of bootstrapped incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were used to identify the proportion of ICERs under the specific willingness-to-pay level ($50 000-$100 000). Health care system costs (total and knee related) and health-related quality-of-life based on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were obtained.

Results: A total of 156 participants (mean [SD] age, 56.1 [8.7] years; 81 [51.9%] male) were randomized 1:1 and followed up for 1 year. Mean (SD) 1-year knee-related medical costs were $2113 ($4224) in the glucocorticoid injection group and $2131 ($1015) in the physical therapy group. The mean difference in QALY significantly favored physical therapy at 1 year (0.076; 95% CI, 0.02-0.126; P = .003). Physical therapy was the more cost-effective intervention, with an ICER of $8103 for knee-related medical costs, with a 99.2% probability that results fall below the willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000.

Conclusions and relevance: A course of physical therapy was cost-effective compared with a course of glucocorticoid injections for patients with knee osteoarthritis. These results suggest that, although the initial cost of delivering physical therapy may be higher than an initial course of glucocorticoid injections, 1-year total knee-related costs are equivalent, and greater improvement in QALYs may justify the initial higher costs.

Author/s:

Rhon, D. I., Kim, M., Asche, C. V., Allison, S. C., Allen, C. S., Deyle, G. D.

Risk for Serious Infection With Low-Dose Glucocorticoids in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Brian Desmarais — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:45:07 +0000

Date Added:

September 29, 2020

Journal/Publication:

Annals of Internal Medicine

Publication Date:

September 22, 2020

URL:

Risk for Serious Infection With Low-Dose Glucocorticoids in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.7326/M20-1594

Keywords

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

MeSH

Antirheumatic Agents

glucocorticoids

Hormone Replacement Therapy

behavior therapy

Infections

In this 1-year cohort study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who, in addition to DMARDS, took an oral corticosteroid were more likely to be hospitalized with a serious infection even if the dose of CS was very low (5mg a day of prednisone). One has to wonder if the same is true in patients without RA. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Abstract

Background: Low-dose glucocorticoids are frequently used for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other chronic conditions, but the safety of long-term use remains uncertain.

Objective: To quantify the risk for hospitalized infection with long-term use of low-dose glucocorticoids in patients with RA receiving stable disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Medicare claims data and Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart database from 2006 to 2015.

Patients: Adults with RA receiving a stable DMARD regimen for more than 6 months.

Measurements: Associations between glucocorticoid dose (none, ≤5 mg/d, >5 to 10 mg/d, and >10 mg/d) and hospitalized infection were evaluated using inverse probability-weighted analyses, with 1-year cumulative incidence predicted from weighted models.

Results: 247 297 observations were identified among 172 041 patients in Medicare and 58 279 observations among 44 118 patients in Optum. After 6 months of stable DMARD use, 47.1% of Medicare patients and 39.5% of Optum patients were receiving glucocorticoids. The 1-year cumulative incidence of hospitalized infection in Medicare patients not receiving glucocorticoids was 8.6% versus 11.0% (95% CI, 10.6% to 11.5%) for glucocorticoid dose of 5 mg or less per day, 14.4% (CI, 13.8% to 15.1%) for greater than 5 to 10 mg/d, and 17.7% (CI, 16.5% to 19.1%) for greater than 10 mg/d (all P < 0.001 vs. no glucocorticoids). The 1-year cumulative incidence of hospitalized infection in Optum patients not receiving glucocorticoids was 4.0% versus 5.2% (CI, 4.7% to 5.8%) for glucocorticoid dose of 5 mg or less per day, 8.1% (CI, 7.0% to 9.3%) for greater than 5 to 10 mg/d, and 10.6% (CI, 8.5% to 13.2%) for greater than 10 mg/d (all P < 0.001 vs. no glucocorticoids).

Limitation: Potential for residual confounding and misclassification of glucocorticoid dose.

Conclusion: In patients with RA receiving stable DMARD therapy, glucocorticoids were associated with a dose-dependent increase in the risk for serious infection, with small but significant risks even at doses of 5 mg or less per day. Clinicians should balance the benefits of low-dose glucocorticoids with this potential risk.

Primary funding source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Author/s:

George, Michael D., Bake, Joshua F., Winthrop, Kevin, Hsu, Jesse Y., Wu, Qufei, Chen, Lang

Physical Therapy Versus Glucocorticoid Injection for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

John Bayhi — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:03:49 +0000

Date Added:

April 9, 2020

Journal/Publication:

New England Journal of Medicine

Publisher:

Massachusetts Medical Society

Publication Date:

April 9, 2020

Issue:

382

Pages:

1420-1429

URL:

Physical Therapy Versus Glucocorticoid Injection for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1056/NEJMoa1905877

Keywords

PMID (1):

32268027

MeSH

Military Health Services

Time and Motion Studies

Physical therapy produces better outcomes at one year than corticosteroid injections in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Background: Both physical therapy and intraarticular injections of glucocorticoids have been shown to confer clinical benefit with respect to osteoarthritis of the knee. Whether the short-term and long-term effectiveness for relieving pain and improving physical function differ between these two therapies is uncertain.

Methods: We conducted a randomized trial to compare physical therapy with glucocorticoid injection in the primary care setting in the U.S. Military Health System. Patients with osteoarthritis in one or both knees were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a glucocorticoid injection or to undergo physical therapy. The primary outcome was the total score on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at 1 year (scores range from 0 to 240, with higher scores indicating worse pain, function, and stiffness). The secondary outcomes were the time needed to complete the Alternate Step Test, the time needed to complete the Timed Up and Go test, and the score on the Global Rating of Change scale, all assessed at 1 year.

Results: We enrolled 156 patients with a mean age of 56 years; 78 patients were assigned to each group. Baseline characteristics, including severity of pain and level of disability, were similar in the two groups. The mean (±SD) baseline WOMAC scores were 108.8±47.1 in the glucocorticoid injection group and 107.1±42.4 in the physical therapy group. At 1 year, the mean scores were 55.8±53.8 and 37.0±30.7, respectively (mean between-group difference, 18.8 points; 95% confidence interval, 5.0 to 32.6), a finding favoring physical therapy. Changes in secondary outcomes were in the same direction as those of the primary outcome. One patient fainted while receiving a glucocorticoid injection.

Conclusions: Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent physical therapy had less pain and functional disability at 1 year than patients who received an intraarticular glucocorticoid injection. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01427153.).

Author/s:

Deyle, GD, Allen, CS, Allison, SC, Gill, NW, Hando, BR, Petersen, EJ, Dusenberry, DI, Rhon, DI

Step-Up Therapy in Black Children and Adults with Poorly Controlled Asthma

John Bayhi — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:21:17 +0000

Date Added:

September 26, 2019

Journal/Publication:

The New England Journal of Medicine

Publisher:

Massachusetts Medical Society

Publication Date:

September 26, 2019

Issue:

Volume:

381

Pages:

1227-1239

URL:

Step-Up Therapy in Black Children and Adults with Poorly Controlled Asthma

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1056/NEJMoa1905560

Keywords

asthma

African Americans

glucocorticoids

randomized control trial

PMID (1):

31553835

MeSH

fluticasone-salmeterol drug combination

Some patients with poorly controlled asthma need significantly increased doses of inhaled corticosteroids. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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BACKGROUND:

Morbidity from asthma is disproportionately higher among black patients than among white patients, and black patients constitute the minority of participants in trials informing treatment. Data indicate that patients with inadequately controlled asthma benefit more from addition of a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) than from increased glucocorticoids; however, these data may not be informative for treatment in black patients.

METHODS:

We conducted two prospective, randomized, double-blind trials: one involving children and the other involving adolescents and adults. In both trials, the patients had at least one grandparent who identified as black and had asthma that was inadequately controlled with low-dose inhaled glucocorticoids. We compared combinations of therapy, which included the addition of a LABA (salmeterol) to an inhaled glucocorticoid (fluticasone propionate), a step-up to double to quintuple the dose of fluticasone, or both. The treatments were compared with the use of a composite measure that evaluated asthma exacerbations, asthma-control days, and lung function; data were stratified according to genotypic African ancestry.

RESULTS:

When quintupling the dose of fluticasone (to 250 μg twice a day) was compared with adding salmeterol (50 μg twice a day) and doubling the fluticasone (to 100 μg twice a day), a superior response occurred in 46% of the children with quintupling the fluticasone and in 46% of the children with doubling the fluticasone and adding salmeterol (P = 0.99). In contrast, more adolescents and adults had a superior response to added salmeterol than to an increase in fluticasone (salmeterol-low-dose fluticasone vs. medium-dose fluticasone, 49% vs. 28% [P = 0.003]; salmeterol-medium-dose fluticasone vs. high-dose fluticasone, 49% vs. 31% [P = 0.02]). Neither the degree of African ancestry nor baseline biomarkers predicted a superior response to specific treatments. The increased dose of inhaled glucocorticoids was associated with a decrease in the ratio of urinary cortisol to creatinine in children younger than 8 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS:

In contrast to black adolescents and adults, almost half the black children with poorly controlled asthma had a superior response to an increase in the dose of an inhaled glucocorticoid and almost half had a superior response to the addition of a LABA. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; BARD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01967173.).

Author/s:

Wechsler, ME, Szefler, SJ, Ortega, VE, Pongracic, JA, Chinchili, V, Lima, JJ, Krishnan, JA, Kunselman, SJ, Mauger, D, Bleecker, ER, Bacharier, LB, Beigelman, A, Benson, M, Blake, KV, Cabana, MD, Cardet, JC, Castro, M, Chmiel, JF, Covar, R, Denlinger, L, DiMango, E, Fitzpatrick, AM, Gentile, D, Grossman, N, Holguin, F, Jackson, DJ, Kumar, H, Kraft, M, LaForce, CF, Lang, J, Lazarus, SC, Lemanske, RF Jr, Long, D, Lugogo, N, Martinez, F, Meyers, DA, Moore, WC, Moy, J, Naureckas, E, Olin, JT, Peters, SP, Phipatanakul, W, Que, L, Raissy, H, Robison, RG, Ross, K, Sheehan, W, Smith, LJ, Solway, J, Sorkness, CA, Sullivan-Vedder, L, Wenzel, S, Israel, E, NHLBI AsthmaNet

Glucocorticoids for croup in children

John Bayhi — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 22:49:32 +0000

Date Added:

September 24, 2019

Journal/Publication:

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Publisher:

The Cochrane Collaboration / John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Date:

August 22, 2018

URL:

Glucocorticoids for croup in children

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1002/14651858.CD001955.pub4

Keywords

croup

children

randomized control trial

adolescent

PMID (1):

30133690

MeSH

Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Corticosteroids reduce symptoms of croup in children for at least 24 hours. The optimal dose and route have not been established. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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BACKGROUND:

Glucocorticoids are commonly used for croup in children. This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 1999 and previously updated in 2004 and 2011.

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the effects of glucocorticoids for the treatment of croup in children aged 0 to 18 years.

SEARCH METHODS:

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (the Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2018), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, Ovid MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to 3 April 2018), and Embase (Ovid) (1996 to 3 April 2018, week 14), and the trials registers ClinicalTrials.gov (3 April 2018) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP, 3 April 2018). We scanned the reference lists of relevant systematic reviews and of the included studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated children aged 0 to 18 years with croup and measured the effects of glucocorticoids, alone or in combination, compared to placebo or another pharmacologic treatment. The studies needed to report at least one of our primary or secondary outcomes: change in croup score; return visits, (re)admissions or both; length of stay; patient improvement; use of additional treatments; and adverse events.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

One author extracted data from each study and another verified the extraction. We entered the data into Review Manager 5 for meta-analysis. Two review authors independently assessed risk of bias for each study using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool and the certainty of the body of evidence for the primary outcomes using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS:

We added five new RCTs with 330 children. This review now includes 43 RCTs with a total of 4565 children. We assessed most (98%) studies as at high or unclear risk of bias. Compared to placebo, glucocorticoids improved symptoms of croup at two hours (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.13 to -0.18; 7 RCTs; 426 children; moderate-certainty evidence), and the effect lasted for at least 24 hours (SMD -0.86, 95% CI -1.40 to -0.31; 8 RCTs; 351 children; low-certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, glucocorticoids reduced the rate of return visits or (re)admissions or both (risk ratio 0.52, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.75; 10 RCTs; 1679 children; moderate-certainty evidence). Glucocorticoid treatment reduced the length of stay in hospital by about 15 hours (mean difference -14.90, 95% CI -23.58 to -6.22; 8 RCTs; 476 children). Serious adverse events were infrequent. Publication bias was not evident. Uncertainty remains with regard to the optimal type, dose, and mode of administration of glucocorticoids for reducing croup symptoms in children.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

Glucocorticoids reduced symptoms of croup at two hours, shortened hospital stays, and reduced the rate of return visits to care. Our conclusions have changed, as the previous version of this review reported that glucocorticoids reduced symptoms of croup within six hours.

Author/s:

Gates, A, Gates, M, Vandermeer, B, Johnson, C, Hartling, L, Johnson, DW, Klassen, TP