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Dapsone as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthmaDewey A, Bara A, Dean TP, Walters EH
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SummaryDapsone as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthmaSome asthma sufferers rely on oral corticosteroids to control their disease. Corticosteroids help reduce the inflammation of the airways associated with asthma. Long-term use of these drugs has serious side effects, so other ways to reduce the need for corticosteroids are sometimes tried. Dapsone does have anti-inflammatory properties, and may have an effect on asthma symptoms and steroid doses taken. However, this review found that there was no evidence for or against the use of dapsone in the treatment of corticosteroid-dependent asthmatic patients. More research is needed.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 3, Copyright © 2008 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This version first published online:
October 21. 2002 AbstractBackgroundOral corticosteroids are used as a treatment for asthma, however they are often associated with serious side effects. Dapsone is a sulfone with anti-inflammatory properties, therefore it may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of asthma and act as a corticosteroid-sparing agent. ObjectivesThe objective of this review is to assess the safety and efficacy of adding dapsone to oral corticosteroids in adults with stable asthma who are dependent on oral corticosteroids with the intention of eventually minimizing or eliminating the use of these steroids. Search strategyWe searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register and reference lists of potential articles. Searches are updated annually. Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials investigating the addition of dapsone compared to placebo in stable corticosteroid dependent asthmatics. Data collection and analysisNo trials were found that met the selection criteria. An update search conducted in February 2007 did not identify any new references for inclusion in the review. Main resultsNo meta-analyses could be performed. Authors' conclusionsNo randomised controlled trials have been published, so there is no reliable evidence to show whether dapsone is beneficial or otherwise in the management of steroid-dependent asthmatic patients. There is a need for well designed randomised controlled trials to be performed. These must be carried out double-blind, since oral corticosteroid reduction requires a judgement on the part of the physician, who may be open to bias if the treatment allocation is known. |