Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: Online bibliographic databases (Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry) were searched for: 1) bronchiolitis or respiratory syncytial virus, and 2) corticosteroid or glucocorticoid or steroidal antiinflammatory agents or adrenal cortex hormones. Reference lists from all selected articles were also examined. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials of systemic corticosteroids in treatment of infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis were selected by 2 investigators. Of 12 relevant publications identified in the literature search, 6 met the selection criteria and had relevant data available. Investigators independently extracted data for 3 outcomes: length of stay (LOS), duration of symptoms (DOS), and clinical scores. RESULTS: In the pooled analysis, infants who received corticosteroids had a mean LOS or DOS that was.43 days less than those who received the placebo treatment (95% confidence interval: -.81 to -.05 days). The effect size for mean clinical score was -1.60 (95% confidence interval: -1.92 to -1.28), favoring treatment. Secondary analyses of mean LOS or DOS were performed on 5 trials that had clearly identified methods of randomization, 5 trials that measured LOS, and 4 trials that clearly excluded infants with previous wheezing. The estimates of effect were similar to the primary analysis but were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Combined, published reports of the effect of systemic corticosteroids on the course of bronchiolitis suggest a statistically significant improvement in clinical symptoms, LOS, and DOS.
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Authors | M M Garrison, D A Christakis, E Harvey, P Cummings, R L Davis |
Journal | Pediatrics
(Pediatrics)
Vol. 105
Issue 4
Pg. E44
(Apr 2000)
ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 10742365
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Glucocorticoids
- Steroids
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Topics |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Bronchiolitis
(drug therapy)
- Data Interpretation, Statistical
- Glucocorticoids
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Infant
- Length of Stay
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Severity of Illness Index
- Steroids
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