Articles tagged with Corticosteroids
A recent commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights the growing concern of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, or 'black fungus', in India. Experts recommend nonpharmacological measures and careful corticosteroid use to prevent and manage this syndemic.
A new study by Tokyo Medical and Dental University clinicians reveals that horizontal transmission is responsible for HTLV-1 uveitis, a severe eye inflammation. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, showing promise in managing the condition, but highlighting the need to consider infection route in diagnosis and treatment.
A new systematic review suggests that corticosteroids are not an effective treatment for COVID-19-induced smell loss. Instead, 'smell training' - a process of sniffing different odours twice daily for several months - is recommended as a cheap and side-effect-free treatment option.
A randomized clinical trial found that patients who received corticosteroids after kidney transplantation had similar survival rates compared to those who did not receive them. Corticosteroid use was associated with increased risk of side effects, including acne and bone disease.
Research suggests that frequent use of high-strength corticosteroid creams for skin lightening can lead to impaired cortisol function and adrenal insufficiency. Women using these products may be at risk of developing severe health problems, including extreme fatigue and even death.
A study combining seven randomized clinical trials found corticosteroid treatment increased the risk of death among critically ill COVID-19 patients. The results suggest a possible association between corticosteroid use and mortality in this patient population, warranting further investigation.
Adding corticosteroids to standard intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for high-risk Kawasaki disease patients can boost initial response and prevent complications. The combination approach reduced the need for a second course of therapy by 35% and the risk of coronary artery abnormalities by 47%.
Research found that combining magnesium sulfate and corticosteroids before birth reduces severe neurodevelopmental impairment and death in extremely preterm children. The study analyzed medical records of over 3,000 infants born between 2011 and 2014.
A new study found that children exposed to maternal antenatal corticosteroid treatment have a higher risk of emotional, behavioral and psychological development disorders than nonexposed children. The study, published in JAMA, suggests that the long-term benefits and harms of this treatment should be carefully weighed.
Prolonged treatment with synthetic corticosteroids disrupts adrenal steroidogenic pathways, leading to pro-inflammatory effects and potential long-term damage. The study's findings have high clinical relevance for developing better treatments and preventing adrenal insufficiency.
A new study reveals that hip and knee steroid intra-articular injections can lead to accelerated arthritis and joint destruction in some patients. Researchers found serious complications such as osteonecrosis and rapid progressive osteoarthritis in eight percent of patients who received the injections.
A new study found that a combination of oral and topical corticosteroids can effectively treat patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. More than 60 patients experienced well-controlled symptoms without needing sinus surgery.
Researchers suggest corticosteroid injections for hip and knee osteoarthritis may be more dangerous than thought, potentially leading to rapid progressive osteoarthritis, joint collapse, and subchondral insufficiency fractures. Patients should be informed of these risks before receiving injections.
A new computational tool has identified 12 variables that can predict which severe asthma patients are likely to benefit from treatment with systemic corticosteroids. This tool will help physicians alleviate suffering for patients who do not respond well to mainline therapy.
The American Gastroenterological Association publishes a new clinical guideline for managing patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. The guidelines recommend the use of oral and topical 5-aminosalicylates, rectal corticosteroids, and oral budesonide to promote high-quality care. However, the use of biologic therapies and imm...
A study of 44,832 Medicare patients found that disruption in their regular combination inhaled corticosteroid therapy led to a higher rate of costly exacerbations and hospitalizations. Approximately 45% of patients did not receive an ICS/LABA after a formulary block, potentially impacting symptoms and disease control.
A comparative clinical trial found that delivering corticosteroids directly into the eye is more effective than injecting them adjacent to the eye in treating uveitic macular edema. The treatment led to significant reductions in macular edema and improvements in visual acuity, with intravitreal triamcinolone and dexamethasone implant s...
Researchers found a new treatment, dupilumab, effective in treating severe asthma by blocking key drivers of inflammation. The study showed improved asthma symptoms, lung function, and reduced need for corticosteroids.
Researchers found that using a single corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator treatment for both daily asthma control and rescue relief is more effective than separate medications. This approach significantly reduces asthma attacks, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits.
A genetic variant in the PDGFD gene has been identified as a key factor in adrenal suppression caused by corticosteroids. This discovery offers potential for personalized approaches to therapy, including screening patients at high risk of side effects or developing tailored monitoring plans.
Researchers developed a cream combining antioxidants, moisturizers and free radical scavengers to treat ACD. The treatment relieved itch, reduced swelling and protected peripheral nerves without corticosteroid side effects.
A new study from Linköping University finds that corticosteroids can improve tendon healing if administered at the correct timing. The research reveals that inflammation must subside before new tissue formation begins. When given after the early inflammatory phase, corticosteroids significantly enhance tendon strength in rats.
A recent study found that a high-priced drug called Acthar drove up Medicare expenditures by over $1 billion, despite lacking evidence of greater efficacy. The majority of spending was attributed to a small group of frequent prescribers, who may be subject to conflicts of interest from aggressive marketing.
Researchers have discovered that corticosteroids, a main treatment for asthma, can actually exacerbate the disease in certain cases. The study found that high levels of inflammatory protein CXCL10 and interferon-gamma are linked to poor lung function and worsening symptoms.
A new medicine, benralizumab, has shown promising results in reducing oral steroid use in severe asthma patients. The trial demonstrated that patients treated with benralizumab were more than four times likely to reduce their usage of oral corticosteroids.
A new study found that bronchial thermoplasty (BT) significantly reduces severe exacerbations, hospitalizations, and ER visits in adults with severe, persistent asthma. After two years of treatment, patients experienced long-term improvement in their asthma control and reduced their need for medication.
A new investigational biologic, benralizumab, has shown promise in reducing the need for adults with severe asthma to take oral corticosteroids. The study found that patients enrolled in either of the benralizumab arms had a significant reduction in prednisone use and annual exacerbation rates compared to those receiving a placebo.
A new study suggests that corticosteroid treatments given to pregnant women just hours before delivery can significantly increase the survival rate of very preterm infants. The research found that antenatal corticosteroids reduced infant mortality and severe neonatal morbidity, particularly when administered shortly before birth.
The clinical trial found that systemic therapy preserved visual acuity and had fewer side effects compared to the intraocular implant. The researchers concluded that systemic therapy would be the first choice of treatment for average patients with uveitis.
A study published in JAMA found that systemic therapy with oral corticosteroids and immunosuppression can preserve or improve vision in the long term, better than regional implant therapy, for patients with severe uveitis. The treatment approach showed fewer ocular side effects and no significant increase in systemic side effects.
A study of over 152,000 asthma patients found that current use of inhaled corticosteroids significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia. The highest risks were observed with higher doses of fluticasone-equivalent and budesonide.
A recent study published in JAMA found that a single capsule of corticosteroid dexamethasone did not increase the likelihood of complete symptom resolution after 24 hours in patients with sore throats. However, at 48 hours, more participants receiving dexamethasone reported feeling completely better.
Researchers found that inhaled corticosteroid use is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) and an increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in women. Corticosteroid users had a 1.4-fold elevated likelihood of having the metabolic syndrome, with nearly a point higher BMI.
Very premature babies benefit from corticosteroids given to mothers at risk of preterm delivery. Exposure to antenatal corticosteroids reduces mortality and morbidity rates, especially among infants born at the lowest gestations.
The new guidelines cover antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy for outpatients with mild and moderate exacerbations. The recommendations also include starting pulmonary rehabilitation 3 weeks after discharge from hospital following a severe exacerbation.
A recent study published in Annals of Family Medicine found that antibiotics are not effective in treating eczema flares in children. The CREAM study analyzed data from 113 children with non-severely infected eczema and showed no significant difference between groups in the resolution of eczema symptoms.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals that natural killer cells in patients with severe asthma are disabled from resolving inflammation, leading to ineffective corticosteroid treatment. Researchers also identified lipoxins as a potential therapeutic approach, as they preserve NK cell pro-resolving functions.
Researchers found substantial inequities in care practices for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients across seven European countries. The standard of care for DMD typically includes corticosteroid medication, physiotherapy, regular echocardiograms, and regular check-ups, but adherence to guidelines was low, particularly among non-...
Research shows that ibrutinib can benefit patients with GVHD who don't respond to corticosteroid treatment, with 71% experiencing sustained improvements. Ibrutinib targets specific immune cells involved in GVHD, offering a new therapeutic option for those with limited treatment options.
Researchers have identified a protein called PP5 that is significantly upregulated in the lungs of severe asthmatic patients, blocking the effectiveness of anti-asthma drugs. This discovery provides a potential new target for developing novel treatments for severe asthma.
Researchers found that corticosteroids worsened long-term recovery from facial paralysis in Lyme disease patients, recommending cautious use of corticosteroids and prompt antibiotic therapy instead. The study's findings suggest a clear association between corticosteroid use and worse facial function outcomes.
A new therapy has been developed to replace essential steroids in the body, which could help people with conditions like Addison's disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The treatment uses corticosterone instead of cortisol, resulting in fewer side effects on fat cells.
Nearly half of patients with severe asthma had very poorly controlled symptoms over a decade, associated with comorbidities and poorer lung function. Persistent VPC asthma was linked to higher disease burden, compromised lung function, and lower medication adherence.
Asthma diagnosis has swung too far in the opposite direction, with inhalers prescribed for unnecessary reasons due to side effects such as growth suppression and increased risk of respiratory infections. Key findings highlight the need for accurate diagnosis using breathing tests and objective documentation.
Researchers found that treatment with omalizumab significantly decreases the number of colds in inner-city children with allergic asthma. Omalizumab targets and reduces levels of immunoglobulin E, a key player in protecting against viruses like those causing cold symptoms.
A study published in JAMA found that dupilumab improves nasal polyp symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic sinusitis not responsive to corticosteroids. The medication was generally well-tolerated and showed significant improvements in endoscopic, clinical, and radiographic outcomes after 16 weeks.
A consultant dermatologist warns that widespread misuse of skin creams with steroids is causing substantial damage in India. Over 14% of patients using these creams suffered from harmful effects, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and public education on safe use.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that tocilizumab, a drug approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is effective in treating polymyalgia rheumatica. The study showed that patients treated with tocilizumab were able to discontinue corticosteroids more quickly and remained in remission over 12 months.
Researchers found that adding a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) to an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) did not improve asthma control in black adults, contradicting national treatment recommendations. Genetic variants were also not associated with differential responses to therapy.
Research found that infants taking inhaled corticosteroids during first 2 years of age are likely to be stunted, with budesonide use showing more pronounced effects. The study highlights the importance of using these medicines in infants appropriately and plans further investigation into their impact on growth.
A clinical scoring system could identify patients at low risk for colon cancer, allowing them to be screened with less invasive methods. The study found that patients classified as low-risk had far fewer advanced adenomas compared to those classified as high-risk.
A study published by McMaster University has shown that corticosteroid therapy significantly benefits patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The research found that corticosteroids can reduce the need for mechanical ventilation from 9% to 5% of patients and decrease the risk of life-threatening complications.
Researchers from INSERM found that spironolactone, an antihypertensive drug, limits skin atrophy when used with corticosteroid-based creams. This study improves the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid-based dermatological treatments for inflammatory skin conditions.
A study found that corticosteroid methylprednisolone decreased treatment failure among patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and high initial inflammatory response. Corticosteroids reduced the risk of treatment failure by 66%, suggesting their potential use as adjunctive treatment for this clinical population.
A new study finds that steroid therapy is associated with a nearly five-fold increase in venous thromboembolism events among IBD patients. Corticosteroid use was linked to a higher rate of venous thromboembolic events, even when combined with biologic therapies.
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) share similar symptoms, but the conditions have different causes and require unique treatment strategies. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to provide effective management for patients with overlapping characteristics of asthma and COPD.
A major international study found that only half of women eligible for antenatal corticosteroids received them, highlighting gaps in treatment practices. The use of these life-saving medications is highly variable across countries, with some nations receiving up to 91% of eligible women.
Researchers found that adding glucocorticoid to local anesthetic epidural injections provided minimal or no additional pain relief and physical limitations improvement. Corticosteroids may have caused increased satisfaction but also more adverse events, calling into question their routine use.
Researchers found that people taking corticosteroid pills are at increased risk of developing active TB, but were less likely to be screened for the infection. Current guidelines may need to be revised to account for this increased risk and ensure timely screening.
A real-world study evaluating the benefit of treating asthma with small particle treatments like QVAR compared to larger particle treatments revealed interesting differences in asthma exacerbation outcome rates. The study found that initiating dosing with small versus large particle ICS treatments can impact asthma control rates.