|
The Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Reviews |
| Explore | New + Updated | Other languages |
|
 |
Inhaled bronchodilators for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell diseaseKnight-Madden JM, Hambleton IR
Bookmark this:
     more ...
SummaryInhaled drugs for opening up the airways in cases of acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell diseaseSickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. People with sickle cell disease often suffer from acute chest syndrome, although it is not known why. Acute chest syndrome can cause fever, coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath and can be life-threatening. Often, people with sickle cell disease and acute chest syndrome also wheeze. This suggests that airways are narrowed, as with asthma. Bronchodilators are drugs which relax the muscles in the airways, thus opening them up to make breathing easier. They are used in this way for asthma, so may be of similar use in acute chest syndrome. However, we found no trials to show the effects of these drugs for this condition. Research needs to assess the benefits and risks of using inhaled bronchodilators for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease.
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 2010 Issue 1, Copyright © 2010 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:
July 21. 2003 AbstractBackgroundBronchodilators are used to treat bronchial hyper-responsiveness in asthma. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness may be a component of acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease. Therefore, bronchodilators may be useful in the treatment of acute chest syndrome. ObjectivesTo assess the benefits and risks associated with the use of bronchodilators in people with acute chest syndrome. Search strategyWe searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Additional searches were carried out on MEDLINE (1966 to 2002) and EMBASE (1981 to 2002). Date of the most recent search of the Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register: March 2008. Selection criteriaRandomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials. Trials using quasi-randomisation methods will be included in future updates of this review if there is sufficient evidence that the treatment and control groups are similar at baseline. Data collection and analysisWe found no trials investigating the use of bronchodilators for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease. Main resultsWe found no trials investigating the use of bronchodilators for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease. Authors' conclusionsIf bronchial hyper-responsiveness is an important component of some episodes of acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease, the use of inhaled bronchodilators may be indicated. There is need for a well-designed, adequately-powered randomised controlled trial to assess the benefits and risks of the addition of inhaled bronchodilators to established therapies for acute chest syndrome in people with sickle cell disease. |