Hay AD et al. – This study assessed the effect of oral corticosteroids in adults with acute lower respiratory tract infection in the absence of asthma. The study concluded that corticosteroids should not be used in these patients as no reduction in symptom duration or severity is observed.

Methods

• Multicenter, placebo–controlled, randomized study in 401 adults with acute cough and at least 1 lower respiratory tract symptom.
• Patients received two 20 mg prednisolone tablets (n = 199) or matched placebo (n = 202) once daily for 5 days.

Results

• Median cough duration was 5 days in both groups (P = .36), and mean symptom severity was 1.99 points in the prednisolone group and 2.16 points in the placebo group (P = .05).
• Significant treatment effects were not observed for duration or severity of other acute lower respiratory tract infection symptoms, abnormal peak flow duration, usage of antibiotics, or nonserious adverse events.
• No serious adverse events were observed.