| Methods |
Randomisation: A predetermined random sequence established by the pharmacist to allocated treatment; vials were prepared daily by a pharmacist.
Blinding: double blinded ‐ similar appearance
Number excluded: not reported.
Withdrawals: none reported.
Baseline characteristics: no imbalances demonstrated. No adjusted analyses. |
| Participants |
Location: ED Children's Hospital, Chicago, USA.
Participants: 88 children, (4 ‐ 18 yrs), Dx of asthma, acute asthma, without other serious medical problems
Exclusion criteria: First‐time episodes of wheezing, fever > 38.5 C, patients who had taken systemic corticosteroids within 2 weeks of presentation.
Asthma definition and severity: none.
No child enrolled > once |
| Interventions |
Intervention: Maximum 125 mg IV methylprednisolone (MP: 2 mg/kg) within 45 minutes of arrival.
Control: equivalent volume (2 ml) saline placebo
Co‐interventions: usual ED management of their acute exacerbation including subcutaneous epinephrine, IV access, oxygen, and B‐agonists (at the discretion of the treating MD). |
| Outcomes |
Admission: at 3 hours, clinical decision (lack of resolution of wheezing) made by non‐treating MD.
Pulmonary functions: PEFR (discontinued at some time during the study due to technical difficulties).
Adverse effects: none.
Vital signs: "recorded".
Symptoms: 0 ‐ 10 (Woods‐Downes Asthma Score).
Lab: not reported
Timing of assessment: entry and discharge or admission (mean of 2.8 hours ‐ CS group; 3.0 hours ‐ placebo group).
Administrative: time to disposition, length of stay.
Follow‐up: 24 hours for discharged patients. |
| Notes |
Jadad score:
Dr. Wolfson responded to correspondence, but was unable to provide additional information. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Low risk |
A predetermined random sequence established by the pharmacist to allocated treatment; vials were prepared daily by a pharmacist. |
