Comparison of Dexamethasone with Prednisolone in Treatment of Acute Asthma
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of single dose oral dexamethasone with single dose oral prednisolone in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbation
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted in the in the Department of Paediatrics,Hameed Latif Teaching Hospital Lahore from March 2023 to November 2023. Through a randomized controlled trial Study Design, a total of 160 children under 12 years of age were randomly allocated in two groups, children in group A were subjected to oral dexamethasone and in group B oral prednisolone was given. All children were followed up till 10th day after discharge to determine the efficacy of treatment in terms of relapse
RESULTS
The mean age of the infants in group A was 7.53 + 2.23 years while in group B it was 8.1 + 2.3 years (p value 0.107). Off the whole sample, we had 65% (n=52) males in group A and 55% (n=44) in group B, female gender was found in 35% (n=28) in group A while 45% in group B (n=36) with p value of 0.197. Efficacy in terms of relapse for group A was 85% while that of group B was 70%, (p value of 0.023).
CONCLUSION
The dexamethasone is more effective than prednisolone in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbation below 12 years of age, however, more randomized controlled trials especially in various combinations with bronchodilators in the management of acute asthma are required.
KEY WORDS
Acute Asthma, dexamethasone, steroid, prednisolone, , relapse
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