The use of prednisolone in chronic bronchitis

A controlled trial of the effect of prednisolone on chronic bronchitis was carried out on 39 patients, using a double-blind technique. The period of administration of prednisolone or dummy tablets was one week and results were assessed mainly using two test of ventilatory function (M.B.C. and F.E.V. 1). Of 19 patients in the treatment group, 4 were thought to show a true response to the drug with increase in M.B.C. of 7 litres or more and an F.E.V. 1 of more than 150 c.c. One patient in the control group gave an increase of 7 l. in M.B.C. only. Outside the trial proper it was found that 2 of 11 patients who had been on dummy tablets, responded when put on prednisolone, and 4 of 11 patients who had not responded to one week of the drug subsequently improved after more prolonged therapy. It is suggested that a small proportion of patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema who have not reacted to more conservative treatment will show a response to prednisolone.