Clinical effect of corticosteroids in asthma‐affected horses: A quantitative synthesis

• Published in: Equine veterinary journal 2018-09, Vol.50 (5), p.594-601
• Main Authors: Calzetta, L., Rogliani, P., Page, C., Roncada, P., Pistocchini, E., Soggiu, A., Piras, C., Urbani, A., Matera, M.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - administration & dosage; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use; Animals; Asthma; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - veterinary; Bayesian analysis; Corticoids; Corticosteroids; Drug Administration Routes - veterinary; equine asthma; horse; Horse Diseases - drug therapy; Horses; Mathematical models; Meta-analysis; pharmacology; Respiratory tract
• ISSN: 0425-1644; 2042-3306
• DOI: 10.1111/evj.12815

Summary Background There are limited findings from low‐powered studies based on few number of subjects with equine asthma. Furthermore, no studies have been performed to assess a meaningful clinically detectable impact of corticosteroids in equine asthma. Objectives To assess and compare the clinical effect of inhaled and systemic corticosteroids in equine asthma and identify a quantitative clinical score suitable to assess the Minimal Important Difference (MID), expressed as the Minimally Clinically Detectable Difference (MCDD). Study design Pair‐wise and network meta‐analysis. Methods Literature searches for studies on corticosteroid therapy in equine asthma were performed. The risk of publication bias was assessed by Funnel plots and Egger's test. The effect on changes in clinical scores vs. control was analysed via random‐effects models and Bayesian networks. Results Corticosteroids significantly improved the clinical condition (Standardised Mean Difference: −1.52, 95% CrI −2.07 to −0.98; P