BACKGROUND For over half a century,the administration of maternal corticosteroids before anticipated preterm birth has been regarded as a cornerstone intervention for enhancing neonatal outcomes,particularly in preven...BACKGROUND For over half a century,the administration of maternal corticosteroids before anticipated preterm birth has been regarded as a cornerstone intervention for enhancing neonatal outcomes,particularly in preventing respiratory distress syndrome.Ongoing research on antenatal corticosteroids(ACS)is continuously refining the evidence regarding their efficacy and potential side effects,which may alter the application of this treatment.Recent findings indicate that in resource-limited settings,the effectiveness of ACS is contingent upon meeting specific conditions,including providing adequate medical support for preterm newborns.Future studies are expected to concentrate on developing evidence-based strategies to safely enhance ACS utilization in low-and middle-income countries.AIM To analyze the clinical effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroids in improving outcomes for preterm newborns in a tertiary care hospital setting in Kazakhstan,following current World Health Organization guidelines.METHODS This study employs a comparative retrospective cohort design to analyze single-center clinical data collected from January 2022 to February 2024.A total of 152 medical records of preterm newborns with gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks were reviewed,focusing on the completeness of the ACS received.Quantitative variables are presented as means with standard deviations,while frequency analysis of qualitative indicators was performed using Pearson'sχ^(2) test(χ^(2))and Fisher's exact test.If statistical significance was identified,pairwise comparisons between the three observation groups were conducted using the Bonferroni correction.RESULTS The obtained data indicate that the complete implementation of antenatal steroid prophylaxis(ASP)improves neonatal outcomes,particularly by reducing the frequency of birth asphyxia(P=0.002),the need for primary resuscitation(P=0.002),the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure(P=0.022),and the need for surfactant replacement therapy(P=0.038)compared to groups with incomplete or no ASP.Furthermore,complete ASP contributed to a decrease in morbidity among preterm newborns(e.g.,respiratory distress syndrome,intrauterine pneumonia,cerebral ischemia,bronchopulmonary dysplasia,etc.),improved Apgar scores,and reduced the need for re-intubation and the frequency of mechanical ventilation.However,it was associated with an increased incidence of uterine atony in postpartum women(P=0.0095).CONCLUSION In a tertiary hospital setting,the implementation of ACS therapy for pregnancies between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation at high risk for preterm birth significantly reduces the incidence of neonatal complications and related interventions.This,in turn,contributes to better outcomes for this cohort of children.However,the impact of ACS on maternal outcomes requires further thorough investigation.展开更多
BACKGROUND Relieving pain is central to the early management of knee osteoarthritis,with a plethora of pharmacological agents licensed for this purpose.Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are a widely used optio...BACKGROUND Relieving pain is central to the early management of knee osteoarthritis,with a plethora of pharmacological agents licensed for this purpose.Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are a widely used option,albeit with variable efficacy.AIM To develop a machine learning(ML)model that predicts which patients will benefit from corticosteroid injections.METHODS Data from two prospective cohort studies[Osteoarthritis(OA)Initiative and Multicentre OA Study]was combined.The primary outcome was patientreported pain score following corticosteroid injection,assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA pain scale,with significant change defined using minimally clinically important difference and meaningful within person change.A ML algorithm was developed,utilizing linear discriminant analysis,to predict symptomatic improvement,and examine the association between pain scores and patient factors by calculating the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,accuracy,and F2 score.RESULTS A total of 330 patients were included,with a mean age of 63.4(SD:8.3).The mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA pain score was 5.2(SD:4.1),with only 25.5%of patients achieving significant improvement in pain following corticosteroid injection.The ML model generated an accuracy of 67.8%(95%confidence interval:64.6%-70.9%),F1 score of 30.8%,and an area under the curve score of 0.60.CONCLUSION The model demonstrated feasibility to assist clinicians with decision-making in patient selection for corticosteroid injections.Further studies are required to improve the model prior to testing in clinical settings.展开更多
BACKGROUND Severe alcoholic hepatitis(SAH)carries a 90-day mortality rate approaching 50%.Management includes corticosteroids,nutritional support,and early liver transplantation in selected cases.However,the mid-term ...BACKGROUND Severe alcoholic hepatitis(SAH)carries a 90-day mortality rate approaching 50%.Management includes corticosteroids,nutritional support,and early liver transplantation in selected cases.However,the mid-term impact of available therapies remains unclear.This systematic review provides a critical evaluation of treatments for SAH,specifically focusing on survival or mortality at 90 days as an essential window that captures short-and mid-term outcomes.The 90-day window is clinically significant,as it reflects the remission of systemic inflam-mation,early liver recovery,and minimizes confounding long-term behaviors such as alcohol relapse.AIM To review the effect of different treatments for SAH on survival and mortality at 90 days.METHODS A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE(last updated March 2025)was performed without language restrictions,focusing on studies published in the last decade.Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by at least two reviewers.Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 and Risk-of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tools.Due to heterogeneity in study designs and interventions,a meta-analysis was not feasible.A qualitative synthesis was conducted using narrative summaries and evidence tables.RESULTS Searches in the databases yielded 645 citations in PubMed and 1516 in EMBASE.Of these 2161 studies,618 were duplicates and therefore removed.A total of eight studies were included in qualitative synthesis.Among the included publications,six were randomized control trials(RCT)and two were retrospective cohort studies.These studies evaluated 90-day mortality or survival in SAH patients treated with corticosteroids(n=2),pentoxifylline(n=1),anakinra plus zinc(n=2),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(n=1),amoxicillin-clavulanate(n=1),fecal microbiota transplantation(n=1)or extracorporeal liver assist device(n=1).While most studies were conducted in Western countries,two had a global scope.CONCLUSION Steroids remain the first-line therapy for SAH despite reports of them not having any 90-day survival benefit.These results highlight the need for multicenter,biomarker-guided RCTs evaluating emerging treatments to improve mid-term survival in SAH.展开更多
BACKGROUND Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)is a complex neurological disorder characterized by symptoms such as headaches,seizures,confusion,and visual disturbances.The pathophysiology of PRES involv...BACKGROUND Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)is a complex neurological disorder characterized by symptoms such as headaches,seizures,confusion,and visual disturbances.The pathophysiology of PRES involves endothelial dysfunction,disrupted cerebral autoregulation,and resulting vasogenic edema.Hypertension and other factors that alter cerebral autoregulation are critical in its development.Corticosteroids,widely used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties,play a controversial role in PRES.AIM To elucidate the dual role of corticosteroids in the context of PRES by critically evaluating the existing literature.Specifically,it seeks to assess the results of PRES induced by corticosteroid therapy and the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in the treatment of PRES.By synthesizing case reports and series,this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms,clinical presentations,and management strategies associated with corticosteroid-related PRES.METHODS The review was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines.The databases searched included Science Direct,PubMed,and Hinari.The search strategy encompassed terms related to corticosteroids and PRES.Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed articles examining corticosteroids in PRES,excluding non-English publications,reviews,and editorials.Data on patient demographics,clinical characteristics,imaging findings,corticosteroid regimens,and outcomes were extracted.The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for case reports.RESULTS A total of 56 cases of PRES(66.1%women,33.9%men)potentially induced by corticosteroids and 14 cases in which corticosteroids were used to treat PRES were identified.Cases of PRES reportedly caused by corticosteroids showed a mean age of approximately 25.2 years,with seizures,headaches,hypertension,and visual disturbances being common clinical sequelae.Magnetic resonance findings typically revealed vasogenic edema in the bilateral parieto-occipital lobes.High-dose or prolonged corticosteroid therapy was a significant risk factor.On the contrary,in the treatment cases,corticosteroids were associated with positive outcomes,including resolution of vasogenic edema and stabilization of symptoms,particularly in patients with underlying inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.CONCLUSION Corticosteroids have a dual role in PRES,capable of both inducing and treating the condition.The current body of literature suggests that corticosteroids may play a greater role as a precipitating agent of PRES rather than treating.Corticosteroids may induce PRES through hypertension and subsequent increased cerebral blood flow and loss of autoregulation.Corticosteroids may aid in the management of PRES:(1)Enhancing endothelial stability;(2)Antiinflammatory properties;and(3)Improving blood-brain barrier integrity.Mechanisms which may reduce or mitigate vasogenic edema formation.展开更多
AIM To explore the benefits and harms of corticosteroid(CS)minimization following renal transplantation.METHODS CS minimization attempts to improve cardiovascular risk factors(hypertension,diabetes,dyslipidemia),to en...AIM To explore the benefits and harms of corticosteroid(CS)minimization following renal transplantation.METHODS CS minimization attempts to improve cardiovascular risk factors(hypertension,diabetes,dyslipidemia),to enhance growth in children,to ameliorate bone disease and to lead to better compliance with immunosuppressive agents.Nevertheless,any benefit must be carefully weighed against the reduction in net immunosuppression and the potential harm to renal allograft function and survival.RESULTS Complete CS avoidance or very early withdrawal(i.e.,no CS after post-transplant day 7)seems to be associated with better outcomes in comparison with later withdrawal.However,an increased incidence of CS-sensitive acute rejection has been observed with all CS minimization strategies.Among the prerequisites for the safe application of CS minimization protocols are the administration of induction immunosuppression and the inclusion of calcineurin inhibitors in maintenance immunosuppression regimens.CONCLUSION Transplant recipients at low immunological risk(primary transplant,low panel reactive antibodies)arethought as optimal candidates for CS minimization.CS avoidance may also be undesirable in patients at risk for glomerulonephritis recurrence or with severe delayed graft function and prolonged cold ischemia time.Thus,CS minimization is not yet ready for implementation in the majority of transplant recipients.展开更多
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction may lead to the occurrence of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency can easily occur after traumati...Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction may lead to the occurrence of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency can easily occur after traumatic brain injury,but few studies have examined this occurrence.A multicenter,prospective,cohort study was performed to evaluate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the incidence of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury.One hundred and forty patients with acute traumatic brain injury were enrolled from the neurosurgical departments of three tertiary-level hospitals in China,and the critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency incidence,critical-illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency-related risk factors,complications,and 28-day mortality among these patients was recorded.Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency was diagnosed in patients with plasma total cortisol levels less than 10μg/dL(275.9 nM)on post-injury day 4 or when serum cortisol was insufficiently suppressed(less than 50%)during a dexamethasone suppression test on post-injury day 5.The results demonstrated that critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency occurred during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury in 5.6%of patients with mild injury,22.5%of patients with moderate injury,and 52.2%of patients with severe injury.Traumatic brain injury-induced critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency was strongly correlated to injury severity during the sub-acute stage of traumatic brain injury.Traumatic brain injury patients with critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency frequently presented with hemorrhagic cerebral contusions,diffuse axonal injury,brain herniation,and hypotension.Differences in the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia,gastrointestinal bleeding,and 28-day mortality were observed between patients with and without critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury.Hypotension,brain-injury severity,and the types of traumatic brain injury were independent risk factors for traumatic brain injury-induced critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.These findings indicate that critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency is common during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury and is strongly associated with poor prognosis.The dexamethasone suppression test is a practical assay for the evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and for the diagnosis of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in patients with traumatic brain injury,especially those with hypotension,hemorrhagic cerebral contusions,diffuse axonal injury,and brain herniation.Sub-acute infection of acute traumatic brain injury may be an important factor associated with the occurrence and development of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University,China in December 2011(approval No.201189).展开更多
Osteoarthritis(OA)is a complex"whole joint"disease pursued by inflammatory mediators,rather than purely a process of"wear and tear".Besides cartilage degradation,synovitis,subchondral bone remodeli...Osteoarthritis(OA)is a complex"whole joint"disease pursued by inflammatory mediators,rather than purely a process of"wear and tear".Besides cartilage degradation,synovitis,subchondral bone remodeling,degeneration of ligaments and menisci,and hypertrophy of the joint capsule take parts in the pathogenesis.Pain is the hallmark symptom of OA,but the extent to which structural pathology in OA contributes to the pain experience is still not well known.For the knee OA,intraarticular(IA)injection(corticosteroids,viscosupplements,blood-derived products)is preferred as the last nonoperative modality,if the other conservative treatment modalities are ineffective.IA corticosteroid injections provide short term reduction in OA pain and can be considered as an adjunct to core treatment for the relief of moderate to severe pain in people with OA.IA hyaluronic acid(HA)injections might have efficacy and might provide pain reduction in mild OA of knee up to 24 wk.But for HA injections,the costeffectiveness is an important concern that patients must be informed about the efficacy of these preparations.Although more high-quality evidence is needed,recent studies indicate that IA platelet rich plasma injections are promising for relieving pain,improving knee function and quality of life,especially in younger patients,and in mild OA cases.The current literature and our experience indicate that IA injections are safe and have positive effects for patient satisfaction.But,there is no data that any of the IA injections will cause osteophytes to regress or cartilage and meniscus to regenerate in patients with substantial and irreversible bone and cartilage damage.展开更多
There is uncertain result with regard to the use of inhalation or instillation steroids to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants. This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ...There is uncertain result with regard to the use of inhalation or instillation steroids to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants. This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early airway administration (within 2 days after birth) of corticosteroids and pulmonary surfactant (PS) for preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). The related studies were retrieved in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Clinical Trial, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP Database from inception to August 2018. Two reviewers independently screened the studies to ensure that all patients with diagnosis of NRDS were enrolled to studies within 1 day after birth, assessed the quality of included studies by GRADEpro system and extracted the data for review. The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.2 software. A subgroup analysis about inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) delivery method was made between ICS inhalation subgroup [inhalation of ICS by nebulizer or metered dose inhaler (MDI)] and ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup (PS used as a vehicle). Eight randomized controlled trials were enrolled in the meta-analysis, 5 trials of which stated the randomized method, grouping and blinded method, and the follow-up procedures were reported. GRADEpro system showed high quality of 4 trials (5 articles), and the rest 4 trials had moderate quality. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of BPD was decreased in ICS group, the relative risk (RR) was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.42-0.76), and similar trends were found in ICS inhalation subgroup and ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup, with the corresponding RR being 0.58 (95% CI: 0.41-0.82) and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.24-0.95) respectively. ICS could also significantly reduce the mortality risk as compared with placebo control group (RR: 0.67;95% CI: 0.45-0.99), with RR of ICS inhalation subgroup and ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup being 0.81 (95% CI: 0.34-1.94) and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.41-0.99) respectively. Moreover, the percentage of infants using PS more than one time was lower in ICS group than in the placebo control group, with the RR and 95% CI being 0.55 (95% CI: 0.45-0.67), and that in ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup lower than in ICS inhalation subgroup (RR: 0.56;95% CI: 0.45-0.69, and RR: 0.35;95% CI:0.08-1.52 respectively). There was no significant difference in the incidence of infection or retinopathy of prematurity and neuro-motor system impairment between ICS group and placebo control group, with the corresponding RR being 0.95 (95% CI:0.59-1.52), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.62-1.38) and 1.13 (95% CI: 0.92-1.39), respectively. It was concluded that early administration of ICS and PS is an effective and safe option for preterm infants with NRDS in preventing BPD and reducing mortality, decreasing the additional PS usage, especially for the ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup. Furthermore, the appropriate dose and duration of ICS, combined use of inhalation or instillation of ICS with PS and the long-term safety of airway administration of corticosteroids need to be assessed in large trials.展开更多
Diabetic macular edema(DME)is a common cause of visual impairment in diabetic patients.It is caused by an increase in the permeability of the perifoveal capillaries and a disruption of the blood retinal-barrier.The pa...Diabetic macular edema(DME)is a common cause of visual impairment in diabetic patients.It is caused by an increase in the permeability of the perifoveal capillaries and a disruption of the blood retinal-barrier.The pathogenesis of DME is multifactorial.Several therapeutic modalities have been proposed for the treatment of DME.Corticosteroid treatments have emerged as an alternative therapy for persistent DME or refractory to conventional laser photocoagulation and other modalities,due to anti-inflammatory,anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and anti-proliferative effects.Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial therapeutic effect of corticosteroids with improvement to both retinal thickness and visual acuity in short-term on the treatment of DME.Peribulbar and intravitreal injections have been used to deliver steroids for DME with frequent injections due to the chronic and recurrent nature of the disease.Steroid-related side effects include elevated intraocular pressure,cataract,and injection related complications such as endophthalmitis,vitreous hemorrhage,and retinal detachment particularly with intravitreal steroid injections.In order to reduce the risks,complications and frequent dosing of intravitreal steroids,intravitreal implants have been developed recently to provide sustained release of corticosteroids and reduce repeated intravitreal injections for the management of DME.展开更多
Opportunistic viral infections are a well-recognized complication of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cases of severe or atypical varicella zoster virus infection, both pr...Opportunistic viral infections are a well-recognized complication of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cases of severe or atypical varicella zoster virus infection, both primary and latent reactivation, have been described in association with immunosuppression of Crohn's disease (CD) patients. However, central nervous system varicella zoster virus infections have been rarely described, and there are no previous reports of varicella zoster virus meningitis associated with anti-TNF therapy among the CD population. Here, we present the case of a 40-year-old male with severe ileocecal-CD who developed a reactivation of dermatomal herpes zoster after treatment with prednisone and adalimumab. The reactivation presented as debilitating varicella zoster virus meningitis, which was not completely resolved despite aggressive antiviral therapy with prolonged intravenous acyclovir and subsequent oral valacyclovir. This is the first reported case of opportunistic central nervous system varicella zoster infection complicating anti-TNF therapy in the CD population. This paper also reviews the literature on varicella zoster virus infections of immunosuppressed IBD patients and the importance of vaccination prior to initiation of anti-TNF therapy.展开更多
Of patients with severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B accompanied by jaundice and coagulopathy,20%-30%have a fatal outcome.In this report,we describe 2 cases of severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B with ja...Of patients with severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B accompanied by jaundice and coagulopathy,20%-30%have a fatal outcome.In this report,we describe 2 cases of severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B with jaundice and coagulopathy who were successfully treated with a combination of entecavir and corticosteroid.In both cases,rapid reductions in serum hepatitis B virus(HBV)-DNA levels were observed,and corticosteroid was stopped after serum HBV-DNA levels became undetectable.Entecavir treatment was continued.Generally,entecavir treatment reduced serum HBV-DNA levels rapidly,although the improvement in liver function was delayed by a few weeks.During this time lag,liver cell injury continued and the disease progressed.Corticosteroid suppressed the excessive host immune response and was useful for stopping progressive deterioration.A combination of entecavir and early-phase corticosteroid may be a useful treatment in severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a necrotizing inflammatory process caused by alcoholic liver injury. It carries a significant short-term mortality. The management of AH is challenging. Although corticosteroids...BACKGROUND: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a necrotizing inflammatory process caused by alcoholic liver injury. It carries a significant short-term mortality. The management of AH is challenging. Although corticosteroids have been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, their efficacy for the treatment of AH remains debatable. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed of MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink and Wiley InterScience using the key words 'alcoholic hepatitis', 'alcoholic liver disease', and 'corticosteroids'. The available data reported in the relevant literature were analyzed. RESULTS: More than 17 controlled trials and at least 13 meta-analyses have reported the efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of AH in the past 40 years. Many were poorly designed and used different inclusion/exclusion criteria, making it difficult to reach a consensus. In this review, we summarized all the controversial data in the past decade and analyzed the potential causes for the varying therapeutic effects of corticosteroids in AH. The focus of the controversy has changed from 'whether steroids are beneficial or harmful for AH patients' to 'how to accurately identify responders to steroids early and rationalize corticosteroid treatment'. An early response to glucocorticoids, as determined by calculating the Lille score after 7 days of treatment, has been shown to be a clinically useful indicator. Moreover, down-regulation of steroid sensitivity, risk of infection, and a rational therapeutic strategy of corticosteroids in AH patients are all crucial for therapeutic effect.CONCLUSIONS: An early and accurate determination of steroid sensitivity is important. Besides, we need to overcome the down-regulation of steroid sensitivity, reduce the infection risk and rationalize the therapeutic strategy of corticosteroids. A fresh perspective is needed on the use of corticosteroids in AH patients.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate clinical response to initial corticosteroid(CS) treatment in Chinese ulcerative colitis patients(UC) and identify predictors of clinical response.METHODS:Four hundred and twenty-three UC patients who w...AIM:To evaluate clinical response to initial corticosteroid(CS) treatment in Chinese ulcerative colitis patients(UC) and identify predictors of clinical response.METHODS:Four hundred and twenty-three UC patients who were initially treated with oral or intravenous CS from 2007 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed at eight inflammatory bowel disease centers in China,and 101 consecutive cases with one-year follow-up were analyzed further for clinical response and predictors.Short-term outcomes within one month were classified as primary response and primary non-response.Longterm outcomes within one year were classified as prolonged CS response,CS dependence and secondary non-response.CS refractoriness included primary and secondary non-response.Multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors associated with clinical response.RESULTS:Within one month,95.0%and 5.0%of the cases were classified into primary response andnon-response,respectively.Within one year,41.6%of cases were assessed as prolonged CS response,while49.5%as CS dependence and 4.0%as secondary nonresponse.The rate of CS refractoriness was 8.9%,while the cumulative rate of surgery was 6.9%within one year.After multivariate analysis of all the variables,tenesmus was found to be a negative predictor of CS dependence(OR=0.336;95%CI:0.147-0.768;P=0.013)and weight loss as a predictor of CS refractoriness(OR=5.662;95%CI:1.111-28.857;P=0.040).After one-month treatment,sustained high Sutherland score(≥6)also predicted CS dependence(OR=2.347;95%CI:0.935-5.890;P=0.014).CONCLUSION:Tenesmus was a negative predictor of CS dependence,while weight loss and sustained high Sutherland score were strongly associated with poor CS response.展开更多
The treatment of choice for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is use of corticosteroids.Many randomized well designed studies have been reported from all over the world on the use of corticosteroids in the...The treatment of choice for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is use of corticosteroids.Many randomized well designed studies have been reported from all over the world on the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of AH.However,the data on the efficacy of corticosteroids in these patients have been conflicting.Initial meta-analyses also failed to show beneficial effects of corticosteroids.Based on individual data meta-analysis showing clear benefit of corticosteroids amongst patients with severe AH (modified discriminant function of 32 or more),led American College of Gastroenterology to recommend use of corticosteroids as the first line treatment option amongst patients with severe AH.However,corticosteroids are relatively contraindicated amongst patients with severe AH and coexistent sepsis,gastrointestinal bleeding,and acute pancreatitis.These patients may be candidates for second line treatment with pentoxifylline.Further,specific treatment of AH with corticosteroids far from satisfactory with as many as 40%-50% of patients failing to respond to steroids,thus classified as nonresponsive to steroids.The management of these patients is a continuing challenge for physicians.Better treatment modalities need to be developed for this group of patients in order to improve the outcome of patients with severe AH.This article describes at length the available trials on use of corticosteroids and pentoxifylline with their current status.Route of administration,dosage,adverse effects,and mechanisms of action of these two drugs are also discussed.Finally,an algorithm with clinical approach to management of patients who present with clinical syndrome of AH is described.展开更多
Pneumocystis pneumonia(PCP) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. It is relatively uncommon in patients with lung cancer. We report a case of PCP in a 59-year-old man with a past medical histo...Pneumocystis pneumonia(PCP) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. It is relatively uncommon in patients with lung cancer. We report a case of PCP in a 59-year-old man with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with formoterol and a moderate daily dose of inhaled budesonide. He had also advanced stage non-small lung cancer treated with concurrent chemo-radiation with a cisplatin-etoposide containing regimen. The diagnosis of PCP was suspected based on the context of rapidly increasing dyspnea, lymphopenia and the imaging findings. Polymerase chain reaction testing on an induced sputum specimen was positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. The patient was treated with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and systemic corticotherapy and had showed clinical and radiological improvement. Six months after the PCP diagnosis, he developed a malignant pleural effusion and expired on hospice care. Through this case, we remind the importance of screening for PCP in lung cancer patients under chemotherapeutic regimens and with increasing dyspnea. In addition, we alert to the fact that long-term inhaled corticosteroids may be a risk factor for PCP in patients with lung cancer. Despite intensive treatment, the mortality of PCP remains high, hence the importance of chemoprophylaxis should be considered.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroid for treatment of moderate or severe dry eye. Methods: Sixty eyes of 30 patients with moderate or severe dry eye, who were not sensitive to artificial tears, ...Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroid for treatment of moderate or severe dry eye. Methods: Sixty eyes of 30 patients with moderate or severe dry eye, who were not sensitive to artificial tears, were treated with 0.1% fluoro- metholone eye drops. Subjective symptom and objective tests were used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment before and after application of 0.1% fluorometholone eye drops for 1 week and 1 month. Side effects were also evaluated. Results: After 1 week of treatment, subjective symptoms were improved in all dry eye patients; objective tests were improved in all dry eye patients 1 month after treatment, and the difference was significant. Conclusion: Topical corticosteroid drops can rapidly and effectively relieve the symptoms and signs of moderate or severe dry eye.展开更多
Objective： The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the effect of corticosteroids on atrial fibrillation（AF） following catheter ablation. Methods： We searched Pub Med, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Regi...Objective： The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the effect of corticosteroids on atrial fibrillation（AF） following catheter ablation. Methods： We searched Pub Med, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for published articles describing the effect of corticosteroids in preventing AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Data on study and patient were extracted. Risk ratios（RRs） and 95% confidence intervals（CIs） were calculated by use of a random-effect model, and P values of 〈0.05 were considered significant. Results： Two randomized controlled trials（RCTs） and three cohort studies involving 846 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Within one month of catheter ablation, corticosteroid use was associated with a declined risk of recurrence of AF in RCT（RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.85, P=0.005）, but without significant effect in cohort studies（RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.30, P=0.94）. After three months of catheter ablation, corticosteroids did not have a significant effect in the prevention of late recurrence of AF in either RCT（RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.59, P=0.49） or cohort studies（RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.31, P=0.78）. Conclusions： Our meta-analysis suggested that periprocedural administration of corticosteroids of catheter ablation was associated with reduction of early but not late recurrence of AF.展开更多
Currently immunosuppressive and biological agentsare used in a more extensive and earlier way in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatic or dermatologic diseases. Although these drugs have shown a signific...Currently immunosuppressive and biological agentsare used in a more extensive and earlier way in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatic or dermatologic diseases. Although these drugs have shown a significant clinical benefit, the safety of these treatments is a challenge. Hepatitis B virus(HBV) reactivations have been reported widely, even including liver failure and death, and it represents a deep concern in these patients. Current guidelines recommend to preemptive therapy in patients with immunosuppressants in general, but preventive measures focused in patients with corticosteroids and inflammatory diseases are scarce. Screening for HBV infection should be done at diagnosis. The patients who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, but do not meet criteria for antiviral treatment must receive prophylaxis before undergoing immunosuppression, including corticosteroids at higher doses than prednisone 20 mg/d during more than two weeks. Tenofovir and entecavir are preferred than lamivudine because of their better resistance profile in long-term immunosuppressant treatments. There is not a strong evidence, to make a general recommendation on the necessity of prophylaxis therapy in patients with inflammatory diseases that are taking low doses of corticosteroids in short term basis or low systemic bioavailability corticosteroids such as budesonide or beclomethasone dipropionate. In these cases regularly HBV DNA monitoring is recommended, starting early antiviral therapy if DNA levels begin to rise. In patients with occult or resolved hepatitis the risk of reactivation is much lower, and excepting for Rituximab treatment, the prophylaxis is not necessary.展开更多
BACKGROUND:There are confl icting results regarding whether corticosteroids have better effi cacy than placebo in acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)patients.Therefore,we aim to further evaluate the effi cacy an...BACKGROUND:There are confl icting results regarding whether corticosteroids have better effi cacy than placebo in acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)patients.Therefore,we aim to further evaluate the effi cacy and safety of corticosteroids in adult ARDS patients.METHODS:The databases,including Medline,EMBASE,and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL)in the Cochrane Library,were searched from their inception to May 2,2020.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and observational cohort studies were selected to assess the use of corticosteroids in adult ARDS patients.The quality of the results was judged by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development,and Evaluation(GRADE)methodology.The inverse-variance method with random or fixed effects modeling was used to compute pooled odds ratio(OR),standardized mean diff erence(SMD),and their 95%confi dence interval(CI).RESULTS:Eight eligible RCTs and six cohort studies were included.The use of corticosteroids was associated with reduced mortality(OR 0.57,95%CI 0.43-0.76,I2=35.1%,P=0.148)in ARDS patients,and the result was confirmed in the included cohort studies(OR 0.51,95%CI 0.27-0.95,I2=66.7%,P=0.010).The subgroup analysis stratified by the initiation time and duration of corticosteroid use showed that early ARDS and prolonged corticosteroid use had signifi cant survival benefits in the RCTs.The low-dose corticosteroid use was also associated with significantly more ventilator-free days and a reduced rate of new infections in ARDS patients.CONCLUSIONS:The low-dose corticosteroid therapy may be safe and reduce mortality,especially in patients with prolonged treatment and early ARDS.展开更多
基金Supported by Non-profit Joint Stock Company“S.D.Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University”,Almaty,Kazakhstan。
文摘BACKGROUND For over half a century,the administration of maternal corticosteroids before anticipated preterm birth has been regarded as a cornerstone intervention for enhancing neonatal outcomes,particularly in preventing respiratory distress syndrome.Ongoing research on antenatal corticosteroids(ACS)is continuously refining the evidence regarding their efficacy and potential side effects,which may alter the application of this treatment.Recent findings indicate that in resource-limited settings,the effectiveness of ACS is contingent upon meeting specific conditions,including providing adequate medical support for preterm newborns.Future studies are expected to concentrate on developing evidence-based strategies to safely enhance ACS utilization in low-and middle-income countries.AIM To analyze the clinical effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroids in improving outcomes for preterm newborns in a tertiary care hospital setting in Kazakhstan,following current World Health Organization guidelines.METHODS This study employs a comparative retrospective cohort design to analyze single-center clinical data collected from January 2022 to February 2024.A total of 152 medical records of preterm newborns with gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks were reviewed,focusing on the completeness of the ACS received.Quantitative variables are presented as means with standard deviations,while frequency analysis of qualitative indicators was performed using Pearson'sχ^(2) test(χ^(2))and Fisher's exact test.If statistical significance was identified,pairwise comparisons between the three observation groups were conducted using the Bonferroni correction.RESULTS The obtained data indicate that the complete implementation of antenatal steroid prophylaxis(ASP)improves neonatal outcomes,particularly by reducing the frequency of birth asphyxia(P=0.002),the need for primary resuscitation(P=0.002),the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure(P=0.022),and the need for surfactant replacement therapy(P=0.038)compared to groups with incomplete or no ASP.Furthermore,complete ASP contributed to a decrease in morbidity among preterm newborns(e.g.,respiratory distress syndrome,intrauterine pneumonia,cerebral ischemia,bronchopulmonary dysplasia,etc.),improved Apgar scores,and reduced the need for re-intubation and the frequency of mechanical ventilation.However,it was associated with an increased incidence of uterine atony in postpartum women(P=0.0095).CONCLUSION In a tertiary hospital setting,the implementation of ACS therapy for pregnancies between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation at high risk for preterm birth significantly reduces the incidence of neonatal complications and related interventions.This,in turn,contributes to better outcomes for this cohort of children.However,the impact of ACS on maternal outcomes requires further thorough investigation.
基金Supported by National Institute For Health and Care Research,No.NIHR302632.
文摘BACKGROUND Relieving pain is central to the early management of knee osteoarthritis,with a plethora of pharmacological agents licensed for this purpose.Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are a widely used option,albeit with variable efficacy.AIM To develop a machine learning(ML)model that predicts which patients will benefit from corticosteroid injections.METHODS Data from two prospective cohort studies[Osteoarthritis(OA)Initiative and Multicentre OA Study]was combined.The primary outcome was patientreported pain score following corticosteroid injection,assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA pain scale,with significant change defined using minimally clinically important difference and meaningful within person change.A ML algorithm was developed,utilizing linear discriminant analysis,to predict symptomatic improvement,and examine the association between pain scores and patient factors by calculating the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,accuracy,and F2 score.RESULTS A total of 330 patients were included,with a mean age of 63.4(SD:8.3).The mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA pain score was 5.2(SD:4.1),with only 25.5%of patients achieving significant improvement in pain following corticosteroid injection.The ML model generated an accuracy of 67.8%(95%confidence interval:64.6%-70.9%),F1 score of 30.8%,and an area under the curve score of 0.60.CONCLUSION The model demonstrated feasibility to assist clinicians with decision-making in patient selection for corticosteroid injections.Further studies are required to improve the model prior to testing in clinical settings.
基金Supported by Hepatology Training Grant from the Spanish Association for The Study of Liver(AEEH-Asociación Española para el Estudio del Hígado)in 2023,No.G28551570(to Quiñones-Calvo M).
文摘BACKGROUND Severe alcoholic hepatitis(SAH)carries a 90-day mortality rate approaching 50%.Management includes corticosteroids,nutritional support,and early liver transplantation in selected cases.However,the mid-term impact of available therapies remains unclear.This systematic review provides a critical evaluation of treatments for SAH,specifically focusing on survival or mortality at 90 days as an essential window that captures short-and mid-term outcomes.The 90-day window is clinically significant,as it reflects the remission of systemic inflam-mation,early liver recovery,and minimizes confounding long-term behaviors such as alcohol relapse.AIM To review the effect of different treatments for SAH on survival and mortality at 90 days.METHODS A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE(last updated March 2025)was performed without language restrictions,focusing on studies published in the last decade.Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by at least two reviewers.Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 and Risk-of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tools.Due to heterogeneity in study designs and interventions,a meta-analysis was not feasible.A qualitative synthesis was conducted using narrative summaries and evidence tables.RESULTS Searches in the databases yielded 645 citations in PubMed and 1516 in EMBASE.Of these 2161 studies,618 were duplicates and therefore removed.A total of eight studies were included in qualitative synthesis.Among the included publications,six were randomized control trials(RCT)and two were retrospective cohort studies.These studies evaluated 90-day mortality or survival in SAH patients treated with corticosteroids(n=2),pentoxifylline(n=1),anakinra plus zinc(n=2),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(n=1),amoxicillin-clavulanate(n=1),fecal microbiota transplantation(n=1)or extracorporeal liver assist device(n=1).While most studies were conducted in Western countries,two had a global scope.CONCLUSION Steroids remain the first-line therapy for SAH despite reports of them not having any 90-day survival benefit.These results highlight the need for multicenter,biomarker-guided RCTs evaluating emerging treatments to improve mid-term survival in SAH.
文摘BACKGROUND Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)is a complex neurological disorder characterized by symptoms such as headaches,seizures,confusion,and visual disturbances.The pathophysiology of PRES involves endothelial dysfunction,disrupted cerebral autoregulation,and resulting vasogenic edema.Hypertension and other factors that alter cerebral autoregulation are critical in its development.Corticosteroids,widely used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties,play a controversial role in PRES.AIM To elucidate the dual role of corticosteroids in the context of PRES by critically evaluating the existing literature.Specifically,it seeks to assess the results of PRES induced by corticosteroid therapy and the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in the treatment of PRES.By synthesizing case reports and series,this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms,clinical presentations,and management strategies associated with corticosteroid-related PRES.METHODS The review was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines.The databases searched included Science Direct,PubMed,and Hinari.The search strategy encompassed terms related to corticosteroids and PRES.Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed articles examining corticosteroids in PRES,excluding non-English publications,reviews,and editorials.Data on patient demographics,clinical characteristics,imaging findings,corticosteroid regimens,and outcomes were extracted.The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for case reports.RESULTS A total of 56 cases of PRES(66.1%women,33.9%men)potentially induced by corticosteroids and 14 cases in which corticosteroids were used to treat PRES were identified.Cases of PRES reportedly caused by corticosteroids showed a mean age of approximately 25.2 years,with seizures,headaches,hypertension,and visual disturbances being common clinical sequelae.Magnetic resonance findings typically revealed vasogenic edema in the bilateral parieto-occipital lobes.High-dose or prolonged corticosteroid therapy was a significant risk factor.On the contrary,in the treatment cases,corticosteroids were associated with positive outcomes,including resolution of vasogenic edema and stabilization of symptoms,particularly in patients with underlying inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.CONCLUSION Corticosteroids have a dual role in PRES,capable of both inducing and treating the condition.The current body of literature suggests that corticosteroids may play a greater role as a precipitating agent of PRES rather than treating.Corticosteroids may induce PRES through hypertension and subsequent increased cerebral blood flow and loss of autoregulation.Corticosteroids may aid in the management of PRES:(1)Enhancing endothelial stability;(2)Antiinflammatory properties;and(3)Improving blood-brain barrier integrity.Mechanisms which may reduce or mitigate vasogenic edema formation.
文摘AIM To explore the benefits and harms of corticosteroid(CS)minimization following renal transplantation.METHODS CS minimization attempts to improve cardiovascular risk factors(hypertension,diabetes,dyslipidemia),to enhance growth in children,to ameliorate bone disease and to lead to better compliance with immunosuppressive agents.Nevertheless,any benefit must be carefully weighed against the reduction in net immunosuppression and the potential harm to renal allograft function and survival.RESULTS Complete CS avoidance or very early withdrawal(i.e.,no CS after post-transplant day 7)seems to be associated with better outcomes in comparison with later withdrawal.However,an increased incidence of CS-sensitive acute rejection has been observed with all CS minimization strategies.Among the prerequisites for the safe application of CS minimization protocols are the administration of induction immunosuppression and the inclusion of calcineurin inhibitors in maintenance immunosuppression regimens.CONCLUSION Transplant recipients at low immunological risk(primary transplant,low panel reactive antibodies)arethought as optimal candidates for CS minimization.CS avoidance may also be undesirable in patients at risk for glomerulonephritis recurrence or with severe delayed graft function and prolonged cold ischemia time.Thus,CS minimization is not yet ready for implementation in the majority of transplant recipients.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81671902(to XC)81501704(to YC)+3 种基金the Project of Tianjin Applied Basic and Cutting-edge Technological Research of China,No.17JCYBJC25200(to XC)15JCQNJC44900(to YC)Tianjin Health Care Elite Prominent Young Doctor Development Program(to XC)the Young and Middle-aged Backbone Innovative Talent Program(to XC)
文摘Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction may lead to the occurrence of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency can easily occur after traumatic brain injury,but few studies have examined this occurrence.A multicenter,prospective,cohort study was performed to evaluate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the incidence of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury.One hundred and forty patients with acute traumatic brain injury were enrolled from the neurosurgical departments of three tertiary-level hospitals in China,and the critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency incidence,critical-illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency-related risk factors,complications,and 28-day mortality among these patients was recorded.Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency was diagnosed in patients with plasma total cortisol levels less than 10μg/dL(275.9 nM)on post-injury day 4 or when serum cortisol was insufficiently suppressed(less than 50%)during a dexamethasone suppression test on post-injury day 5.The results demonstrated that critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency occurred during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury in 5.6%of patients with mild injury,22.5%of patients with moderate injury,and 52.2%of patients with severe injury.Traumatic brain injury-induced critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency was strongly correlated to injury severity during the sub-acute stage of traumatic brain injury.Traumatic brain injury patients with critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency frequently presented with hemorrhagic cerebral contusions,diffuse axonal injury,brain herniation,and hypotension.Differences in the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia,gastrointestinal bleeding,and 28-day mortality were observed between patients with and without critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury.Hypotension,brain-injury severity,and the types of traumatic brain injury were independent risk factors for traumatic brain injury-induced critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.These findings indicate that critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency is common during the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury and is strongly associated with poor prognosis.The dexamethasone suppression test is a practical assay for the evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and for the diagnosis of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in patients with traumatic brain injury,especially those with hypotension,hemorrhagic cerebral contusions,diffuse axonal injury,and brain herniation.Sub-acute infection of acute traumatic brain injury may be an important factor associated with the occurrence and development of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University,China in December 2011(approval No.201189).
文摘Osteoarthritis(OA)is a complex"whole joint"disease pursued by inflammatory mediators,rather than purely a process of"wear and tear".Besides cartilage degradation,synovitis,subchondral bone remodeling,degeneration of ligaments and menisci,and hypertrophy of the joint capsule take parts in the pathogenesis.Pain is the hallmark symptom of OA,but the extent to which structural pathology in OA contributes to the pain experience is still not well known.For the knee OA,intraarticular(IA)injection(corticosteroids,viscosupplements,blood-derived products)is preferred as the last nonoperative modality,if the other conservative treatment modalities are ineffective.IA corticosteroid injections provide short term reduction in OA pain and can be considered as an adjunct to core treatment for the relief of moderate to severe pain in people with OA.IA hyaluronic acid(HA)injections might have efficacy and might provide pain reduction in mild OA of knee up to 24 wk.But for HA injections,the costeffectiveness is an important concern that patients must be informed about the efficacy of these preparations.Although more high-quality evidence is needed,recent studies indicate that IA platelet rich plasma injections are promising for relieving pain,improving knee function and quality of life,especially in younger patients,and in mild OA cases.The current literature and our experience indicate that IA injections are safe and have positive effects for patient satisfaction.But,there is no data that any of the IA injections will cause osteophytes to regress or cartilage and meniscus to regenerate in patients with substantial and irreversible bone and cartilage damage.
文摘There is uncertain result with regard to the use of inhalation or instillation steroids to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants. This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early airway administration (within 2 days after birth) of corticosteroids and pulmonary surfactant (PS) for preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). The related studies were retrieved in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Clinical Trial, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP Database from inception to August 2018. Two reviewers independently screened the studies to ensure that all patients with diagnosis of NRDS were enrolled to studies within 1 day after birth, assessed the quality of included studies by GRADEpro system and extracted the data for review. The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.2 software. A subgroup analysis about inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) delivery method was made between ICS inhalation subgroup [inhalation of ICS by nebulizer or metered dose inhaler (MDI)] and ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup (PS used as a vehicle). Eight randomized controlled trials were enrolled in the meta-analysis, 5 trials of which stated the randomized method, grouping and blinded method, and the follow-up procedures were reported. GRADEpro system showed high quality of 4 trials (5 articles), and the rest 4 trials had moderate quality. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of BPD was decreased in ICS group, the relative risk (RR) was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.42-0.76), and similar trends were found in ICS inhalation subgroup and ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup, with the corresponding RR being 0.58 (95% CI: 0.41-0.82) and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.24-0.95) respectively. ICS could also significantly reduce the mortality risk as compared with placebo control group (RR: 0.67;95% CI: 0.45-0.99), with RR of ICS inhalation subgroup and ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup being 0.81 (95% CI: 0.34-1.94) and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.41-0.99) respectively. Moreover, the percentage of infants using PS more than one time was lower in ICS group than in the placebo control group, with the RR and 95% CI being 0.55 (95% CI: 0.45-0.67), and that in ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup lower than in ICS inhalation subgroup (RR: 0.56;95% CI: 0.45-0.69, and RR: 0.35;95% CI:0.08-1.52 respectively). There was no significant difference in the incidence of infection or retinopathy of prematurity and neuro-motor system impairment between ICS group and placebo control group, with the corresponding RR being 0.95 (95% CI:0.59-1.52), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.62-1.38) and 1.13 (95% CI: 0.92-1.39), respectively. It was concluded that early administration of ICS and PS is an effective and safe option for preterm infants with NRDS in preventing BPD and reducing mortality, decreasing the additional PS usage, especially for the ICS intratracheal instillation subgroup. Furthermore, the appropriate dose and duration of ICS, combined use of inhalation or instillation of ICS with PS and the long-term safety of airway administration of corticosteroids need to be assessed in large trials.
文摘Diabetic macular edema(DME)is a common cause of visual impairment in diabetic patients.It is caused by an increase in the permeability of the perifoveal capillaries and a disruption of the blood retinal-barrier.The pathogenesis of DME is multifactorial.Several therapeutic modalities have been proposed for the treatment of DME.Corticosteroid treatments have emerged as an alternative therapy for persistent DME or refractory to conventional laser photocoagulation and other modalities,due to anti-inflammatory,anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and anti-proliferative effects.Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial therapeutic effect of corticosteroids with improvement to both retinal thickness and visual acuity in short-term on the treatment of DME.Peribulbar and intravitreal injections have been used to deliver steroids for DME with frequent injections due to the chronic and recurrent nature of the disease.Steroid-related side effects include elevated intraocular pressure,cataract,and injection related complications such as endophthalmitis,vitreous hemorrhage,and retinal detachment particularly with intravitreal steroid injections.In order to reduce the risks,complications and frequent dosing of intravitreal steroids,intravitreal implants have been developed recently to provide sustained release of corticosteroids and reduce repeated intravitreal injections for the management of DME.
文摘Opportunistic viral infections are a well-recognized complication of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cases of severe or atypical varicella zoster virus infection, both primary and latent reactivation, have been described in association with immunosuppression of Crohn's disease (CD) patients. However, central nervous system varicella zoster virus infections have been rarely described, and there are no previous reports of varicella zoster virus meningitis associated with anti-TNF therapy among the CD population. Here, we present the case of a 40-year-old male with severe ileocecal-CD who developed a reactivation of dermatomal herpes zoster after treatment with prednisone and adalimumab. The reactivation presented as debilitating varicella zoster virus meningitis, which was not completely resolved despite aggressive antiviral therapy with prolonged intravenous acyclovir and subsequent oral valacyclovir. This is the first reported case of opportunistic central nervous system varicella zoster infection complicating anti-TNF therapy in the CD population. This paper also reviews the literature on varicella zoster virus infections of immunosuppressed IBD patients and the importance of vaccination prior to initiation of anti-TNF therapy.
文摘Of patients with severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B accompanied by jaundice and coagulopathy,20%-30%have a fatal outcome.In this report,we describe 2 cases of severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B with jaundice and coagulopathy who were successfully treated with a combination of entecavir and corticosteroid.In both cases,rapid reductions in serum hepatitis B virus(HBV)-DNA levels were observed,and corticosteroid was stopped after serum HBV-DNA levels became undetectable.Entecavir treatment was continued.Generally,entecavir treatment reduced serum HBV-DNA levels rapidly,although the improvement in liver function was delayed by a few weeks.During this time lag,liver cell injury continued and the disease progressed.Corticosteroid suppressed the excessive host immune response and was useful for stopping progressive deterioration.A combination of entecavir and early-phase corticosteroid may be a useful treatment in severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B.
基金supported by a grant from the General Project Foundation of the Education Department of Liaoning Province (2009A809)
文摘BACKGROUND: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a necrotizing inflammatory process caused by alcoholic liver injury. It carries a significant short-term mortality. The management of AH is challenging. Although corticosteroids have been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, their efficacy for the treatment of AH remains debatable. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed of MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink and Wiley InterScience using the key words 'alcoholic hepatitis', 'alcoholic liver disease', and 'corticosteroids'. The available data reported in the relevant literature were analyzed. RESULTS: More than 17 controlled trials and at least 13 meta-analyses have reported the efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of AH in the past 40 years. Many were poorly designed and used different inclusion/exclusion criteria, making it difficult to reach a consensus. In this review, we summarized all the controversial data in the past decade and analyzed the potential causes for the varying therapeutic effects of corticosteroids in AH. The focus of the controversy has changed from 'whether steroids are beneficial or harmful for AH patients' to 'how to accurately identify responders to steroids early and rationalize corticosteroid treatment'. An early response to glucocorticoids, as determined by calculating the Lille score after 7 days of treatment, has been shown to be a clinically useful indicator. Moreover, down-regulation of steroid sensitivity, risk of infection, and a rational therapeutic strategy of corticosteroids in AH patients are all crucial for therapeutic effect.CONCLUSIONS: An early and accurate determination of steroid sensitivity is important. Besides, we need to overcome the down-regulation of steroid sensitivity, reduce the infection risk and rationalize the therapeutic strategy of corticosteroids. A fresh perspective is needed on the use of corticosteroids in AH patients.
基金Supported by Grants from the Ministry of Public Health,No.201002020Hubei Provincial Outstanding Medical Academic Leader Program(2013)
文摘AIM:To evaluate clinical response to initial corticosteroid(CS) treatment in Chinese ulcerative colitis patients(UC) and identify predictors of clinical response.METHODS:Four hundred and twenty-three UC patients who were initially treated with oral or intravenous CS from 2007 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed at eight inflammatory bowel disease centers in China,and 101 consecutive cases with one-year follow-up were analyzed further for clinical response and predictors.Short-term outcomes within one month were classified as primary response and primary non-response.Longterm outcomes within one year were classified as prolonged CS response,CS dependence and secondary non-response.CS refractoriness included primary and secondary non-response.Multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors associated with clinical response.RESULTS:Within one month,95.0%and 5.0%of the cases were classified into primary response andnon-response,respectively.Within one year,41.6%of cases were assessed as prolonged CS response,while49.5%as CS dependence and 4.0%as secondary nonresponse.The rate of CS refractoriness was 8.9%,while the cumulative rate of surgery was 6.9%within one year.After multivariate analysis of all the variables,tenesmus was found to be a negative predictor of CS dependence(OR=0.336;95%CI:0.147-0.768;P=0.013)and weight loss as a predictor of CS refractoriness(OR=5.662;95%CI:1.111-28.857;P=0.040).After one-month treatment,sustained high Sutherland score(≥6)also predicted CS dependence(OR=2.347;95%CI:0.935-5.890;P=0.014).CONCLUSION:Tenesmus was a negative predictor of CS dependence,while weight loss and sustained high Sutherland score were strongly associated with poor CS response.
基金Supported by Grants from the 12th Five-Year National Science and Technology Major Project for Infectious Diseases,No.2012ZX10002004-00512~(th) Five-Year Major Project of PLA,No.BWS11J075
文摘AIM: To investigate the clinical features, response to corticosteroids, and prognosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)-induced liver failure in China.
文摘The treatment of choice for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is use of corticosteroids.Many randomized well designed studies have been reported from all over the world on the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of AH.However,the data on the efficacy of corticosteroids in these patients have been conflicting.Initial meta-analyses also failed to show beneficial effects of corticosteroids.Based on individual data meta-analysis showing clear benefit of corticosteroids amongst patients with severe AH (modified discriminant function of 32 or more),led American College of Gastroenterology to recommend use of corticosteroids as the first line treatment option amongst patients with severe AH.However,corticosteroids are relatively contraindicated amongst patients with severe AH and coexistent sepsis,gastrointestinal bleeding,and acute pancreatitis.These patients may be candidates for second line treatment with pentoxifylline.Further,specific treatment of AH with corticosteroids far from satisfactory with as many as 40%-50% of patients failing to respond to steroids,thus classified as nonresponsive to steroids.The management of these patients is a continuing challenge for physicians.Better treatment modalities need to be developed for this group of patients in order to improve the outcome of patients with severe AH.This article describes at length the available trials on use of corticosteroids and pentoxifylline with their current status.Route of administration,dosage,adverse effects,and mechanisms of action of these two drugs are also discussed.Finally,an algorithm with clinical approach to management of patients who present with clinical syndrome of AH is described.
文摘Pneumocystis pneumonia(PCP) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. It is relatively uncommon in patients with lung cancer. We report a case of PCP in a 59-year-old man with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with formoterol and a moderate daily dose of inhaled budesonide. He had also advanced stage non-small lung cancer treated with concurrent chemo-radiation with a cisplatin-etoposide containing regimen. The diagnosis of PCP was suspected based on the context of rapidly increasing dyspnea, lymphopenia and the imaging findings. Polymerase chain reaction testing on an induced sputum specimen was positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. The patient was treated with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and systemic corticotherapy and had showed clinical and radiological improvement. Six months after the PCP diagnosis, he developed a malignant pleural effusion and expired on hospice care. Through this case, we remind the importance of screening for PCP in lung cancer patients under chemotherapeutic regimens and with increasing dyspnea. In addition, we alert to the fact that long-term inhaled corticosteroids may be a risk factor for PCP in patients with lung cancer. Despite intensive treatment, the mortality of PCP remains high, hence the importance of chemoprophylaxis should be considered.
文摘Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroid for treatment of moderate or severe dry eye. Methods: Sixty eyes of 30 patients with moderate or severe dry eye, who were not sensitive to artificial tears, were treated with 0.1% fluoro- metholone eye drops. Subjective symptom and objective tests were used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment before and after application of 0.1% fluorometholone eye drops for 1 week and 1 month. Side effects were also evaluated. Results: After 1 week of treatment, subjective symptoms were improved in all dry eye patients; objective tests were improved in all dry eye patients 1 month after treatment, and the difference was significant. Conclusion: Topical corticosteroid drops can rapidly and effectively relieve the symptoms and signs of moderate or severe dry eye.
文摘Objective： The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the effect of corticosteroids on atrial fibrillation（AF） following catheter ablation. Methods： We searched Pub Med, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for published articles describing the effect of corticosteroids in preventing AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Data on study and patient were extracted. Risk ratios（RRs） and 95% confidence intervals（CIs） were calculated by use of a random-effect model, and P values of 〈0.05 were considered significant. Results： Two randomized controlled trials（RCTs） and three cohort studies involving 846 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Within one month of catheter ablation, corticosteroid use was associated with a declined risk of recurrence of AF in RCT（RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.85, P=0.005）, but without significant effect in cohort studies（RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.30, P=0.94）. After three months of catheter ablation, corticosteroids did not have a significant effect in the prevention of late recurrence of AF in either RCT（RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.59, P=0.49） or cohort studies（RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.31, P=0.78）. Conclusions： Our meta-analysis suggested that periprocedural administration of corticosteroids of catheter ablation was associated with reduction of early but not late recurrence of AF.
文摘Currently immunosuppressive and biological agentsare used in a more extensive and earlier way in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatic or dermatologic diseases. Although these drugs have shown a significant clinical benefit, the safety of these treatments is a challenge. Hepatitis B virus(HBV) reactivations have been reported widely, even including liver failure and death, and it represents a deep concern in these patients. Current guidelines recommend to preemptive therapy in patients with immunosuppressants in general, but preventive measures focused in patients with corticosteroids and inflammatory diseases are scarce. Screening for HBV infection should be done at diagnosis. The patients who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, but do not meet criteria for antiviral treatment must receive prophylaxis before undergoing immunosuppression, including corticosteroids at higher doses than prednisone 20 mg/d during more than two weeks. Tenofovir and entecavir are preferred than lamivudine because of their better resistance profile in long-term immunosuppressant treatments. There is not a strong evidence, to make a general recommendation on the necessity of prophylaxis therapy in patients with inflammatory diseases that are taking low doses of corticosteroids in short term basis or low systemic bioavailability corticosteroids such as budesonide or beclomethasone dipropionate. In these cases regularly HBV DNA monitoring is recommended, starting early antiviral therapy if DNA levels begin to rise. In patients with occult or resolved hepatitis the risk of reactivation is much lower, and excepting for Rituximab treatment, the prophylaxis is not necessary.
基金the United Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China(U2004110)the Leading Talent Fund in Science and Technology Innovation in Henan Province(194200510017)+3 种基金the Science and Technology People-Benefit Project of Zhengzhou(2019KJHM0001)the Special Fund for Young and Middle-Aged Medical Research from China International Medical Foundation(Z-2018-35)the Integrated Thinking Research Fund from China International Medical Foundation(Z-2016-23-2001)the Fund for Mechanism Study on Gabexate Mesilate in Treating Sepsis and Septic Shock(2019-hx-45).
文摘BACKGROUND:There are confl icting results regarding whether corticosteroids have better effi cacy than placebo in acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)patients.Therefore,we aim to further evaluate the effi cacy and safety of corticosteroids in adult ARDS patients.METHODS:The databases,including Medline,EMBASE,and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL)in the Cochrane Library,were searched from their inception to May 2,2020.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and observational cohort studies were selected to assess the use of corticosteroids in adult ARDS patients.The quality of the results was judged by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development,and Evaluation(GRADE)methodology.The inverse-variance method with random or fixed effects modeling was used to compute pooled odds ratio(OR),standardized mean diff erence(SMD),and their 95%confi dence interval(CI).RESULTS:Eight eligible RCTs and six cohort studies were included.The use of corticosteroids was associated with reduced mortality(OR 0.57,95%CI 0.43-0.76,I2=35.1%,P=0.148)in ARDS patients,and the result was confirmed in the included cohort studies(OR 0.51,95%CI 0.27-0.95,I2=66.7%,P=0.010).The subgroup analysis stratified by the initiation time and duration of corticosteroid use showed that early ARDS and prolonged corticosteroid use had signifi cant survival benefits in the RCTs.The low-dose corticosteroid use was also associated with significantly more ventilator-free days and a reduced rate of new infections in ARDS patients.CONCLUSIONS:The low-dose corticosteroid therapy may be safe and reduce mortality,especially in patients with prolonged treatment and early ARDS.
