Change Page: Prescribe Systemic Corticosteroids in Acute Asthma

Doherty examines how systemic corticosteroids reduce admission rates, relapse rates, and symptom duration and explores why corticosteroids should be used for most acute exacerbations of acute asthma. Meta-analyses have reviewed the role of corticosteroids in acute asthma. A meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials found that those who received systemic corticosteroids were discharged earlier and were less likely to relapse within one to three months; and a meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled or quasi-randomized controlled trials found that using systemic corticosteroids within one hour of arrival at hospital decreased admission rates. Moreover, patients presenting with acute asthma should receive corticosteroid doses in the order of 1 mg/kg a day of prednisolone.