Corticosteroids for pain relief in sore throat: systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate whether systemic corticosteroids improve symptoms of sore throat in adults and children.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Cochrane Central, Medline, Embase, Database of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), NHS Health Economics Database, and bibliographies.

Outcome measures

Percentage of patients with complete resolution at 24 and 48 hours, mean time to onset of pain relief, mean time to complete resolution of symptoms, days missed from work or school, recurrence, and adverse events.

Results

We included eight trials, consisting of 743 patients in total (369 children, 374 adults). 348 (47%) had exudative sore throat, and 330 (44%) were positive for group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus. In addition to antibiotics a

SUBMITTER: Hayward G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2722696 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature