Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Addition of dexamethasone to antibiotic therapy

Xtreme Fat Loss Diet System!
The addition of dexamethasone to antibiotic therapy shortens the duration of inpatient care in hospitals on patients suffering from CAP (community-acquired pneumonia) without interference with the immune system. This finding is the result of random double-blind study with placebo control, performed on 304 patients with CAP (age> 18 years) at two teaching hospitals in the Netherlands - 153 patients in the placebo group and 151 patients in the dexamethasone group (infusion of 5 mg / day ). Therapy given for 4 days from hospitalized
patients. Both groups received antibiotic therapy. Patients with impaired immune systems, patients need to be moved to the ICU, and patients already receiving corticosteroids / immunosuppressant were excluded from these clinical trials. The main parameters in this study is the duration of hospitalization of patients.

Of the 304 participants, 143 (47%) of patients suffering from CAP class 4-5, 79 patients in the dexamethasone group and 64 patients in the control group. In the dexamethasone group, the median duration of hospitalization in the dexamethasone group was 6.5 days, while the median value in the control group was 7.5 days (95% CI median difference 0-2 days, p = 0.048). In addition, decreased biomarkers of inflammation in the blood (C-reactive proteins and interleukin-6) occurred more rapidly in dexamethasone group compared with the control group.

No significant differences in mortality and incidence of severe side effects between group dexamethasone and control groups. However, hyperglycemia occurred in 67 (44%) of 151 patients dexamethasone group, compared with 35 (23%) of 153 patients the control group. One patient in the dexamethasone group experienced gastric perforation on day 3.

Conclusion, the addition of dexamethasone to antibiotic therapy may shorten the duration of hospitalization in patients with CAP without an immune system disorder. The use of corticosteroids remains to consider the benefits and potential risks, such as superinfection and gastrointestinal disorders. After all, it takes further clinical trials with a duration of corticosteroid administration longer to achieve a resolution of biological and prevent rebound inflammation.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers