Use of systemic steroids during pulmonary exacerbations in children and adolescent with Cystic fibrosis

• Published in: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2022-08, Vol.72 (8), p.1525-1528
• Main Authors: Aziz, Danish Abdul, Siddique, Fatima, Shahid, Shahira, Alam, Anusha, Aziz, Namrah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cystic fibrosis; Dosage and administration; Drug therapy; Hospital care; Methods; Patient outcomes; Pediatric research; Steroids (Drugs)
• ISSN: 0030-9982
• DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.3729

Objective: To determine the role of systemic steroids in cystic fibrosis patients and its effects on pulmonary exacerbation in children and adolescents. Method: The retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data from January 2015 to December 2019 of cystic fibrosis patients aged 3-18 years hospitalised with pulmonary exacerbations. The patients were divided into systemic steroid group A and non-systemic steroid group B. Patients in group A received parenteral steroids during acute exacerbation of cystic fibrosis in the first two weeks of admission, while those in group B did not receive systemic steroids. Length of hospital stay and number of days on oxygen support were compared between the groups. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Result: Of the 124 patient charts evaluated, 84(67.7%) were included; 40(47.6%) in group A and 44(52.4%) in group B. There were no significant differences between the groups related to age, age at diagnosis, weight, height, and pulmonary exacerbations (p>0.05). Group A had significantly fewer days on oxygen support compared to group B (p