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Glucocorticoids for the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;3:CD007596
Authors: Choo KJ, Simons FE, Sheikh A
BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a serious hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and may result in death. Anaphylaxis guidelines recommend glucocorticoids for the treatment of people experiencing anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the benefits and harms of glucocorticoid treatment during episodes of anaphylaxis. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 3), MEDLINE (Ovid) (1966 to September 2009), EMBASE (Ovid) (1988 to September 2009), CINAHL (EBSCOhost) (to September 2009) and The Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) (1945 to September 2009). We also searched the UK National Research Register and websites listing ongoing trials, and contacted international experts in anaphylaxis in an attempt to locate unpublished material. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing glucocorticoids with any control (either placebo, adrenaline (epinephrine), an antihistamine, or any combination of these). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed articles for inclusion. MAIN RESULTS: We found no studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We are, based on this review, unable to make any recommendations for the use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of anaphylaxis.
PMID: 20238355 [PubMed - in process]