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Corticosteroid added to standard treatment improves eyesight in patients with sudden vision loss

Researchers found that adding a corticosteroid to standard treatment significantly improves both short- and long-term visual acuity in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The study showed that patients treated with the combination therapy had better long-term vision compared to those only treated with...

SourceIOS Press·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·DateNov 19, 2013

Inhaled corticosteroids raise pneumonia risk

A University of Alberta research team found that inhaled corticosteroid use was associated with a 90% increase in risk for repeat pneumonia episodes among elderly patients. The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, suggests health professionals should exercise caution when prescribing the drugs to high-risk patients.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateSep 18, 2013

Single inhaler asthma therapy better at preventing attacks than recommended treatment

A recent study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that a single inhaler therapy using beclometasone/formoterol combination is more effective in preventing asthma attacks than the traditional combination of corticosteroid and rapid-onset long-acting β2 agonist. This approach reduces hospital admissions and healthcare cos...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateMar 4, 2013

Vitamin D deficiency and poorer lung function in asthmatic children treated with steroids

A new study found that asthma treatment with inhaled corticosteroids is less effective in children with vitamin D deficiency, leading to poorer lung function. Vitamin D supplementation may enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of corticosteroids, improving outcomes for asthmatic children.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJul 13, 2012

Study examines effect of prednisolone in patients with Bell palsy

A randomized trial of 829 patients with Bell palsy found that prednisolone treatment significantly reduced mild and moderate sequelae at 12 months. The study also showed that valacyclovir alone did not affect the severity of sequelae, while the combination of prednisolone plus valacyclovir did not offer additional benefits.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateMay 21, 2012

Corticosteroid use during pregnancy not linked to facial clefts in infants

A recent study found no association between corticosteroid use during pregnancy and orofacial clefts in infants. However, dermatological corticosteroids were linked to an increased risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate. The study's results add to the safety information for corticosteroids commonly used during pregnancy.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 11, 2011

Steroids to treat asthma: How safe are they?

A new study from the University of Montreal found that a short burst of oral steroids may temporarily depress the immune system in children with asthma, leading to reduced antibody production. However, this effect is considered transient and rare, occurring only when exposed to new antigens during an asthma attack.

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that proactively disclosing medical errors decreased new legal claims and costs for health care systems. Collaboration between internists and specialists improved care for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection by increasing adherence to quality-of-care measures. However, administering corticosteroids to de...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 16, 2010

'Stepping up' asthma treatment in children leads to improvement

A new study found that increasing dosage or adding asthma drugs to low-dose inhaled corticosteroids improves asthma control in 98% of children. LABA shows the highest response rate, but individual patients require personalized treatment due to factors like Asthma Control Test score, eczema, and ethnicity.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 2, 2010

Prednisolone not beneficial in most cases of community-acquired pneumonia

A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that prednisolone therapy does not provide clinical benefits for patients with mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia. Instead, it may lead to a higher rate of late failures and recurrence of symptoms after withdrawal.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2010