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肌肉注射與口服皮質類固醇以減少急性氣喘的急診出院後復發比較

Appendices

Appendix 1. Sources and search methods for the Cochrane Airways Trials Register

Electronic searches: core databases

Database

Search frequency

CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library)

Monthly

MEDLINE (Ovid)

Weekly

Embase (Ovid)

Weekly

PsycINFO (Ovid)

Monthly

CINAHL (EBSCO)

Monthly

AMED (EBSCO)

Monthly

Handsearches: core respiratory conference abstracts

Conference

Years searched

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)

2001 onwards

American Thoracic Society (ATS)

2001 onwards

Asia Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR)

2004 onwards

British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting (BTS)

2000 onwards

Chest Meeting

2003 onwards

European Respiratory Society (ERS)

1992, 1994, 2000 onwards

International Primary Care Respiratory Group Congress (IPCRG)

2002 onwards

Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ)

1999 onwards

MEDLINE search strategy used to identify studies for the Cochrane Airways Trials Register

Asthma search

1. exp Asthma/

2. asthma$.mp.

3. (antiasthma$ or anti‐asthma$).mp.

4. Respiratory Sounds/

5. wheez$.mp.

6. Bronchial Spasm/

7. bronchospas$.mp.

8. (bronch$ adj3 spasm$).mp.

9. bronchoconstrict$.mp.

10. exp Bronchoconstriction/

11. (bronch$ adj3 constrict$).mp.

12. Bronchial Hyperreactivity/

13. Respiratory Hypersensitivity/

14. ((bronchial$ or respiratory or airway$ or lung$) adj3 (hypersensitiv$ or hyperreactiv$ or allerg$ or insufficiency)).mp.

15. ((dust or mite$) adj3 (allerg$ or hypersensitiv$)).mp.

16. or/1‐15

Filter to identify RCTs

1. exp "clinical trial [publication type]"/

2. (randomised or randomised).ab,ti.

3. placebo.ab,ti.

4. dt.fs.

5. randomly.ab,ti.

6. trial.ab,ti.

7. groups.ab,ti.

8. or/1‐7

9. Animals/

10. Humans/

11. 9 not (9 and 10)

12. 8 not 11

The MEDLINE strategy and RCT filter are adapted to identify studies in other electronic databases

Appendix 2. Search strategy to identify relevant studies from the CAGR

#1 AST:MISC1

#2 MeSH DESCRIPTOR Asthma Explode All

#3 asthma*:ti,ab

#4 #1 or #2 or #3

#5 prednis*

#6 methylprednis*

#7 dexamethasone

#8 cortisone

#9 hydrocortisone*

#10 medrol

#11 solumedrol

#12 solu‐medrol

#13 betamethasone

#14 triamcinolone

#15 steroid* or corticosteroid* or glucocorticoid*

#16 MeSH DESCRIPTOR Dexamethasone

#17 MeSH DESCRIPTOR Prednisolone Explode All

#18 MeSH DESCRIPTOR Prednisone

#19 MeSH DESCRIPTOR Cortisone

#20 MeSH DESCRIPTOR Injections, Intramuscular

#21 intramuscular* OR intra* NEXT muscular*

#22 IM:ti,ab

#23 injection*

#24 #5 or #6 or #7 or #8 or #9 or #10 or #11 or #12 or #13 or #14 or #15 or #16 or #17 or #18 or #19

#25 #20 or #21 or #22 or #23

#26 #4 AND #24 AND #25

[Note: in search line #1, MISC1 denotes the field in the record where the reference has been coded for condition, in this case, asthma]

Appendix 3. MEDLINE search strategy

Database: Ovid MEDLINE(R) Epub Ahead of Print, In‐Process & Other Non‐Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily and Ovid MEDLINE(R) <1946 to April 2017>
Search Strategy:
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
1. asthma*.mp. or exp Asthma/ [mp=title, abstract, original title, name of substance word, subject heading word, keyword heading word, protocol supplementary concept word, rare disease supplementary concept word, unique identifier, synonyms]
2. Respiratory Sounds/
3. wheez*.mp.
4. Bronchial Spasm/
5. bronchospas$.mp.
6. bronchoconstrict*.mp.
7. exp Bronchoconstriction/
8. (bronch$ adj3 constrict$).mp.
9. Bronchial Hyperreactivity/
10. Respiratory Hypersensitivity/
11. ((bronchial$ or respiratory or airway$ or lung$) adj3 (hypersensitiv$ or hyperreactiv$ or allerg$ or insufficiency)).mp.
12. 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 [mp=title, abstract, original title, name of substance word, subject heading word, keyword heading word, protocol supplementary concept word, rare disease supplementary concept word, unique identifier, synonyms]
13. exp Adrenal Cortex Hormones/
14. exp Glucocorticoids/
15. exp Prednisone/
16. exp Methylprednisolone/
17. corticosteroid*.mp.
18. glucocortico*.mp.
19. cortico‐steroid*.mp.
20. prednis*.mp.
21. deltason.mp.
22. prelone.mp.
23. orapred.mp.
24. pediapred.mp.
25. deltasone.mp.
26. betamethasone.mp.
27. solumedrol.mp.
28. medrol.mp.
29. dexamethasone.mp.
30. methylpred*.mp.
31. solucortef.mp.
32. decadron.mp.
33. triamcinolone.mp.
34. kenalog*.mp.
35. trivaris.mp.
36. or/13‐35
37. exp Injections/ or inject*.mp. [mp=title, abstract, original title, name of substance word, subject heading word, keyword heading word, protocol supplementary concept word, rare disease supplementary concept word, unique identifier, synonyms]
38. (intramuscul* or IM or repository or intra muscul*).mp. [mp=title, abstract, original title, name of substance word, subject heading word, keyword heading word, protocol supplementary concept word, rare disease supplementary concept word, unique identifier, synonyms]
39. 37 or 38
40. oral*.mp.
41. ((drug administration or drug delivery).mp. or exp Drug Administration Routes/) and po.mp.
42. exp Administration, Oral/
43. 40 or 41 or 42
44. (randomi?ed or randomi?ed).ab,ti.
45. placebo*.ti,ab.
46. dt.fs.
47. randomly.ti,ab.
48. trial*.ti,ab.
49. groups.ti,ab.
50. clinical trial/
51. rct.ti,ab.
52. 44 or 45 or 46 or 47 or 48 or 49 or 50 or 51
53. animals/
54. humans/
55. 53 not (53 and 54)
56. 52 not 55
57. 12 and 36 and 39 and 43 and 56

Appendix 4. Embase search strategy

Database: Embase <1974 to 2017 April 17>
Search Strategy:
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
1. asthma*.mp. or exp asthma/ [mp=title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading]
2. exp abnormal respiratory sound/
3. wheez*.mp.
4. bronchial spasm/
5. bronchospas$.mp.
6. bronchoconstrict*.mp.
7. exp bronchoconstriction/
8. (bronch$ adj3 constrict$).mp.
9. bronchial hyperreactivity/
10. exp respiratory tract allergy/
11. ((bronchial$ or respiratory or airway$ or lung$) adj3 (hypersensitiv$ or hyperreactiv$ or allerg$ or insufficiency)).mp.
12. 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 [mp=title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading]
13. exp acute disease/ or (acute or exacerbat* or emergen*).mp.
14. 12 and 13
15. exp corticosteroids/
16. corticosteroid*.mp.
17. glucocortico*.mp.
18. cortico‐steroid*.mp.
19. prednis*.mp.
20. deltason.mp.
21. prelone.mp.
22. orapred.mp.
23. pediapred.mp.
24. deltasone.mp.
25. betamethasone.mp.
26. solumedrol.mp.
27. medrol.mp.
28. dexamethasone.mp.
29. methylpred*.mp.
30. solucortef.mp.
31. decadron.mp.
32. triamcinolone.mp.
33. kenalog*.mp.
34. trivaris.mp.
35. or/15‐34
36. exp Injection/ or inject*.mp. [mp=title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading]
37. (intramuscul* or IM or repository or intra muscul*).mp. [mp=title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading]
38. 36 or 37
39. ((drug administration or drug delivery).mp. or exp drug administration route/) and oral*.ti,ab.
40. ((drug administration or drug delivery).mp. or exp drug administration route/) and po.ti,ab.
41. exp oral drug administration/
42. 39 or 40 or 41
43. clinical trial.pt. or randomi?ed.ab,ti.
44. placebo*.ti,ab.
45. dt.fs.
46. randomly.ti,ab.
47. trial*.ti,ab.
48. groups.ti,ab.
49. controlled clinical trial/
50. rct.ti,ab.
51. 43 or 44 or 45 or 46 or 47 or 48 or 49 or 50
52. animals/
53. humans/
54. 52 not (52 and 53)
55. 51 not 54
56. 14 and 35 and 38 and 42 and 55

Appendix 5. CINAHL search strategy

1. (MH "Asthma+") or (MH "Bronchoconstriction") or (MH "Bronchial Spasm") or asthma* or wheez* or ((bronchia* or respiratory or airway* or lung$) N3 (hypersensitiv* or hyperreactiv* or allerg* or insufficiency or contrict*))

2. (MH "Disease Exacerbation") or (severe or acute* or emergen* or exacerbat*)

3. S1 and S2

4. (MH "Injections, Intramuscular+") or "intra muscular" or "intramuscul* or repository

5. (MH "Administration, Oral+") or (oral N3 (admins*" or delivery or drug or pharmasceutical*))

6. S4 or S5

7. (MH "Adrenal Cortex Hormones+") or glucocorticosteroid* or "cortico steroid*" prednis* or "adrenal cortex hormone*"

8. (corticosteroid* OR "steroids, cortico*" or prelone or orapred or pediapred or deltasone or solumedrol or medrol or betamethasone or dexamethasone or methylpred or solucortef or decahedron or triamcinolone or kenalog or trivaris)

9. S7 OR S8

10. S3 AND S6 AND S9

Appendix 6. Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global search strategy

(all(asthma* AND (emergency OR emergent OR emergencies OR acute* OR exacerbate*)) AND all(corticosteroid* OR "steroids, cortico*" OR corticosteroid* OR prelone OR orapred OR pediapred OR deltasone OR solumedrol OR medrol OR betamethasone OR dexamethasone OR methylpred OR solucortef OR decahedron OR triamcinolone OR kenalog* OR trivaris) AND (oral OR ((im OR po) AND (drug* OR delivery OR administration OR route*)) OR intramuscul*)) AND all(randomiz* OR randomis* OR "clinical trial*" OR randomly OR placebo* OR "controlled trial*" OR RCT*)

Appendix 7. SCOPUS search strategy

1. (asthma*)

2. (emergency OR emergent OR emergencies OR acute* OR exacerbate* )

3. (corticosteroid* OR "steroids,cortico*" OR corticosteroid* OR prelone OR orapred OR pediapred OR deltasone OR solumedrol OR medrol OR betamethasone OR dexamethasone OR methylpred OR solucortef OR decahedron OR triamcinolone OR kenalog* OR trivaris)

4. (randomiz* OR randomis* OR "clinical trial*" OR randomly OR placebo* OR "controlled trial*" OR rct*)

5. ("intra muscul*" OR intramusc* OR inject* OR (im W/5 (drug OR adminst* OR deliver* OR route* ))

6. (oral* OR "by mouth" OR ( op W/5 ( drug OR adminst* OR deliver* OR route* ))

7. 1 AND 2 AND 3 AND 4 AND 5 AND 6

Appendix 8. PROSPERO search strategy

1. (corticosteroid* OR "steroids, cortico*" OR corticosteroid* OR prelone OR orapred OR pediapred OR deltasone OR solumedrol OR medrol OR betamethasone OR dexamethasone OR methylpred OR solucortef OR decahedron OR triamcinolone OR kenalog* OR trivaris)

2. asthma*

3. emergency OR emergent OR emergencies OR acute* OR exacerbate*

4. (oral OR ((im OR po) AND (drug* OR delivery OR administration OR route*)) OR intramuscular* or intra muscular* or repository)

5. #4 and #3 and #1 and #2

6. (randomiz* OR randomis* OR "clinical trial*" OR randomly OR placebo* OR "controlled trial*" OR RCT*)

7. #5 and #6

Appendix 9. Cochrane Library search strategy

1. (asthma* and (emergency or emergent or emergencies or acute* or exacerbate*))

2. (oral or (PO and (drug* or delivery or administration or route*))) and (intramuscul* or "intra muscl*" or (IM and (drug* or delivery or administration or route*)))

3. (corticosteroid* or "steroids, cortico*" or corticosteroid* or prelone or orapred or pediapred or deltasone or solumedrol or medrol or betamethasone or dexamethasone or methylpred or solucortef or decahedron or triamcinolone or kenalog* or trivaris)

4. (randomiz* or randomis* or "clinical trial*" or randomly or placebo* or "controlled trial*" or RCT*)

5. #1 and #2 and #3 and #4

Appendix 10. LILACS search strategy

1. (asthma* and (acute or exacerbat* and emerg*)

2. (oral or (po and (drug* or administration or route* or delivery)))

3. (intramuscular or intra‐muscular or (IM and (drug* or administration or route* or delivery)))

4. (corticosteroid* OR "steroids cortico*" OR "cortico steroid*" OR prelone OR orapred OR pediapred OR deltasone OR solumedrol OR medrol OR betamethasone OR dexamethasone OR methylpred OR solucortef OR decahedron OR triamcinolone OR kenalog* OR trivaris)

5. #1 AND #2 AND #3 AND #4

Study flow diagram.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 1

Study flow diagram.

Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 2

Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.

Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 3

Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 1 Relapse.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.1

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 1 Relapse.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 2 Relapse intention to treat.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.2

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 2 Relapse intention to treat.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 3 Subgroup analysis: children versus adults.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.3

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 3 Subgroup analysis: children versus adults.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 4 Subgroup analysis: relapse within 10 days and over 10 days post‐discharge.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.4

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 4 Subgroup analysis: relapse within 10 days and over 10 days post‐discharge.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 5 Subgroup analysis: mild/moderate versus severe exacerbations.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.5

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 5 Subgroup analysis: mild/moderate versus severe exacerbations.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 6 Sensitivity analysis: risk of bias.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.6

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 6 Sensitivity analysis: risk of bias.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 7 Sensitivity analysis: oral corticosteroid prescriptions greater than 5 days.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.7

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 7 Sensitivity analysis: oral corticosteroid prescriptions greater than 5 days.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 8 Sensitivity analysis: fixed effects.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.8

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 8 Sensitivity analysis: fixed effects.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 9 Sensitivity analysis: corticosteroids in ED.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.9

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 9 Sensitivity analysis: corticosteroids in ED.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 10 Serious adverse events; hospitalization following discharge.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.10

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 10 Serious adverse events; hospitalization following discharge.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 11 Adverse events.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.11

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 11 Adverse events.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 12 Adverse events: nausea/vomiting/GI distress.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.12

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 12 Adverse events: nausea/vomiting/GI distress.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 13 Adverse events: insomnia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.13

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 13 Adverse events: insomnia.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 14 Adverse events: personality changes.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.14

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 14 Adverse events: personality changes.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 15 Adverse events: pain.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.15

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 15 Adverse events: pain.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 16 Adverse events: swelling.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.16

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 16 Adverse events: swelling.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 17 Adverse events: redness.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.17

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 17 Adverse events: redness.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 18 Pulmonary function: peak expiratory flow (L/min).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.18

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 18 Pulmonary function: peak expiratory flow (L/min).

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 19 Pulmonary function: FEV₁/FVC (%).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.19

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 19 Pulmonary function: FEV₁/FVC (%).

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 20 Symptom persistence.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.20

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 20 Symptom persistence.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 21 Symptom persistence: cough.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.21

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 21 Symptom persistence: cough.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 22 Symptom persistence: wheezing.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.22

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 22 Symptom persistence: wheezing.

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 23 24‐hour beta agonist use.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.23

Comparison 1 Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids, Outcome 23 24‐hour beta agonist use.

Summary of findings for the main comparison. Intramuscular corticosteroids compared to Oral corticosteroids for acute asthma

Intramuscular corticosteroids compared to Oral corticosteroids for acute asthma

Patient or population: patients with acute asthma
Settings: Acute care settings
Intervention: Intramuscular corticosteroids
Comparison: Oral corticosteroids

Outcomes

Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI)

Relative effect
(95% CI)

No of Participants
(studies)

Quality of the evidence
(GRADE)

Assumed risk

Corresponding risk

Oral corticosteroids

Intramuscular corticosteroids

Relapse

201 per 1000

12 fewer per 1000
(from 56 fewer to 48 more)

RR 0.94
(0.72 to 1.24)

804
(9 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low1,2

Relapse within 10 days postdischarge

154 per 1000

40 fewer per 1000

(from 75 fewer to 11 more)

RR 0.74
(0.51 to 1.07)

742
(7 studies)

⊕⊕⊕⊝
moderate1

Relapse occurring after 10 days postdischarge

245 per 1000

2 fewer per 1000
(from 64 fewer to 81 more)

RR 0.99
(0.74 to 1.33)

556
(5 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low1,2

Adverse events

294 per 1000

50 fewer per 1000
(from 106 fewer to 21 more)

RR 0.83
(0.64 to 1.07)

404
(5 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low1,3

Pulmonary function: Peak expiratory flow

The mean pulmonary function: peak expiratory flow ranged across control groups from
304 to 419 litres/min

The mean pulmonary function: peak expiratory flow in the intervention groups was
7.78 liters/min lower
(38.83 lower to 23.28 higher)

272
(4 studies)

⊕⊕⊕⊝
moderate2

Symptom persistence

537 per 1000

317 fewer per 1000
(from 461 fewer to 107 more)

RR 0.41
(0.14 to 1.2)

80
(3 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low1,3

24hour beta agonist use

375 per 1000

172 fewer per 1000
(from 296 fewer to 139 more)

RR 0.54
(0.21 to 1.37)

48
(2 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low1,3

*The basis for the assumed risk (e.g. the median control group risk across studies) is provided in footnotes. The corresponding risk (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI).
CI: Confidence interval; RR: Risk ratio;

GRADE Working Group grades of evidence
High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect.
Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate.
Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate.
Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.

1 Downgraded 1 level for risk of bias. Majority of studies received an unclear risk of bias for random sequence generation and selective outcome reporting
2 Downgraded 1 level for imprecision including wide confidence intervals (including both benefit, harm, and no effect)
3 Downgraded 1 level for Imprecision including wide confidence intervals (including both benefit, harm, and no effect) and few events

Figuras y tablas -
Summary of findings for the main comparison. Intramuscular corticosteroids compared to Oral corticosteroids for acute asthma
Table 1. Exacerbation severity

Studies

Pulmonary function: Eligibility criteria

Exacerbation severity

Al‐Wahadneh 2006

Severity estimated using modified scoring system based on GINA guidelines. Reported to enrolling patients with mild‐moderate exacerbations, however baseline pulmonary function of the groups was not reported.

Unable to assess

Chan 2001

Reported mean baseline PEF greater than 200 L/min: IM group: 270 L/min (SD: 103); oral group: 261 L/min (SD: 104).

Mild/moderate

Gordon 2007

Reported to enrolling patients identified as moderate exacerbations, however baseline pulmonary function was not reported.

Unable to assess

Gries 2000

Applied adapted exacerbation severity score (unspecified). Reported to enrolling patients rated as mild/moderate, however baseline pulmonary function of the groups was not reported.

Unable to assess

Hoffman 1988

Reported baseline mean PEF of enrolled patients of less than 150 L/min: IM group: 129 L/min (SD:14); oral group: 141 L/min (SD: 14).

Severe

Klig 1997

Exacerbation severity estimated via pulmonary index score. Study reported to enrolling patients with mild/moderate exacerbations, however baseline pulmonary function was not reported.

Unable to assess

Lahn 2004

Eligibility criteria required patients to have a PEFR of ≤ 70% predicted with a minimum PEFR of ≥ 40%. Reported PEF of enrolled patients was ≥ 200 L/min: IM group: 205 L/min (SD: 70); oral group: 209 L/min (SD: 72).

Mild/moderate

Lee 1993

Reported mean baseline PEF of ≥ 200 L/min: IM group: 210 L/min (SD: 30); oral group: 208 L/min (SD: 26).

Mild/moderate

Schuckman 1998

Reported mean baseline PEF of ≥ 200 L/min: IM group: 243.6 L/min (SD: 64); oral group: 244.7 L/min (SD: 83).

Mild/moderate

Abbreviations:

GINA = Global Initiative for Asthma; PEF = Peak expiratory flow; PEFR = Peak expiratory flow rate; IM = intramuscular; SD = standard deviation

Figuras y tablas -
Table 1. Exacerbation severity
Table 2. Study characteristics of included studies

Studies

Location/setting

Co‐interventions

Corticosteroid doses and durations

Methyprednisolone equivalency

Relapse outcome

Al‐Wahadneh 2006

Jordan, ED

Provided in ED: not stated

Provided at discharge: SABA

Dexamethasone (IM)

1.7 mg/kg

Mean dose: 24 mg

Single dose

Prednisolone (oral)

2 mg/kg/day for 5 days

Mean dose: 19.2 mg per day

Total dose: 96 mg

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency: 120 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

76.8 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

1/16

Day 21

Oral group

3/14

Day 21

Chan 2001

Canada, ED

Provided in ED: SABA, methylxanthines, supplemental oral/IV corticosteroids

Provided at discharge: Methylxanthines, unspecified inhaled beta₂‐agonists, and ICS

Betamethasone (IM)

12 mg

Single dose. Received placebo capsules over 7 days.

Prednisone (oral)

50 mg a day for 7 days. Received a single placebo injection

Total dose: 350 mg

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

72 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

280 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

12/86

Day 7

Oral group

19/82

Day 7

Gordon 2007

United States, Pediatric ED

Provided in ED: SABA, ipratropium bromide. IV corticosteroids for patients who vomited oral corticosteroids.

Provided at discharge: Inhaled beta₂‐agonists and ICS

Dexamethasone (IM)

0.6 mg/kg (max 16 mg)

Single dose

Prednisolone (oral)

2 mg/kg (max 50 mg) daily for 5 days

Total: 250 mg

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

80 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12‐36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

200 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

8/69

Day 4

Oral group

11/73

Day 4

IM group

15/68

Day 14

Oral group

16/73

Day 14

Gries 2000

United States, Tertiary medical center

Provided in ED: SABA

Provided at discharge: SABA

Dexamethasone (IM)

Patients 6 to 12 months old received 16 mg.

Patients 13 to 35 months old received 24 mg.

Children ≥ 36 months received 36 mg.

Single dose

Prednisone (oral)

2 mg/kg a day for 5 days

Total dose: unclear

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

Unable to assess

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

Unable to assess

IM group

1/15

Day 28

Oral group

3/17

Day 28

Hoffman 1988

United States, ED

Provided in ED: SABA, epinephrine, methylxanthines, IV corticosteroids

Provided at discharge: Methylxanthine and inhaled beta₂‐agonists

Methylprednisonlone (IM)

80 mg

Single dose. Received placebo capsules for 7 days

Methylprednisolone (oral)

Tapering dose over 7 days.

Total dose: 216 mg

Received placebo injection

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

80 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

216 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

0/8 day

Day 7

Oral group

2/10

Day 7

Klig 1997

United States, Pediatric ED

Provided in ED: SABA

Provided at discharge: SABA

Dexamethasone (IM)

0.3 mg/kg

Total dose: 15 mg

Single dose

Prednisone (oral)

2 mg/kg a day for 3 days

Total dose: 100 mg

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

75 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

80 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

0/21

Day 5

Oral group

0/21

Day 5

Lahn 2004

United States, ED

Provided in ED: inhaled beta₂‐agonists, IV corticosteroids

Provided at discharge: SABA

Methylprednisolone (IM)

160 mg

Single dose. Received placebo capsules for 8 days

Methylprednisolone (oral)

Tapering dose over 8 days.

Total dose: 160 mg (tapering dose 32 mg day 1).

Received placebo injection

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

80 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

80 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

13/92

Day 10

Oral group

12/88

Day 10

IM group

17/92

Day 21

Oral group

20/88

Day 21

Lee 1993

Taiwan, ED

Provided in ED: SABA, methylxanthines

Provided at discharge: Methylxanthine and inhaled beta₂‐agonists

Dexamethasone (IM)

10 mg

Single dose. Received placebo capsules for 7 days

Dexamethasone (oral)

Tapering dose over 7 days.

11.75 mg total. Received placebo injection

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

50 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

58.8 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

1/17

Day 7

Oral group

0/19

Day 7

Schuckman 1998

United States, ED

Provided in ED: SABA, oral/IV corticosteroids

Provided at discharge: SABA, antibiotics, ICS, cromolyn sodium, ipratropium bromide

Triamcinolone (IM)

40 mg

Single dose. Received placebo capsules for 5 days

Prednisone (oral)

40 mg a day for 5 days.

Total dose: 160 mg

Received placebo injection

IM

Methylprednisone equivalency:

40 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

Oral

Methylprednisone equivalency:

160 mg

Duration: intermediate half‐life (12 to 36 hours)

IM group

7/78

Day 7

Oral group

11/76

Day 7

ED = emergency department; SABA = short‐acting beta₂‐agonists; LABA = long‐acting beta₂‐agonists; IV = intravenous; IM = intramuscular; ICS = inhaled corticosteroids

Figuras y tablas -
Table 2. Study characteristics of included studies
Comparison 1. Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Relapse Show forest plot

9

804

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.94 [0.72, 1.24]

2 Relapse intention to treat Show forest plot

9

821

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.95 [0.72, 1.26]

3 Subgroup analysis: children versus adults Show forest plot

9

804

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.94 [0.72, 1.24]

3.1 Children

4

245

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.86 [0.48, 1.53]

3.2 Adults

5

559

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.97 [0.71, 1.33]

4 Subgroup analysis: relapse within 10 days and over 10 days post‐discharge Show forest plot

9

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

4.1 Within 10 days post‐discharge

7

742

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.74 [0.51, 1.07]

4.2 Greater than 10 days post‐discharge

5

556

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.99 [0.74, 1.33]

5 Subgroup analysis: mild/moderate versus severe exacerbations Show forest plot

5

557

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.96 [0.70, 1.32]

5.1 Mild/moderate exacerbations

4

539

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.98 [0.71, 1.34]

5.2 Severe exacerbations

1

18

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.24 [0.01, 4.47]

6 Sensitivity analysis: risk of bias Show forest plot

5

559

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.97 [0.71, 1.33]

7 Sensitivity analysis: oral corticosteroid prescriptions greater than 5 days Show forest plot

8

762

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.94 [0.72, 1.24]

8 Sensitivity analysis: fixed effects Show forest plot

9

804

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.91 [0.69, 1.19]

9 Sensitivity analysis: corticosteroids in ED Show forest plot

5

320

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.76 [0.45, 1.29]

10 Serious adverse events; hospitalization following discharge Show forest plot

1

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

Totals not selected

11 Adverse events Show forest plot

5

404

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.83 [0.64, 1.07]

12 Adverse events: nausea/vomiting/GI distress Show forest plot

3

320

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.56 [0.09, 3.59]

13 Adverse events: insomnia Show forest plot

1

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

Totals not selected

14 Adverse events: personality changes Show forest plot

1

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

Totals not selected

15 Adverse events: pain Show forest plot

2

181

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

1.75 [0.32, 9.66]

16 Adverse events: swelling Show forest plot

2

180

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

4.76 [0.57, 39.84]

17 Adverse events: redness Show forest plot

2

175

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

13.5 [0.77, 235.63]

18 Pulmonary function: peak expiratory flow (L/min) Show forest plot

4

272

Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

‐7.78 [‐38.83, 23.28]

19 Pulmonary function: FEV₁/FVC (%) Show forest plot

1

Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

Totals not selected

20 Symptom persistence Show forest plot

3

80

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.41 [0.14, 1.20]

21 Symptom persistence: cough Show forest plot

3

178

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.69 [0.17, 2.73]

22 Symptom persistence: wheezing Show forest plot

3

177

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.59 [0.14, 2.52]

23 24‐hour beta agonist use Show forest plot

2

48

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.54 [0.21, 1.37]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 1. Intramuscular versus oral corticosteroids