Effect of Oral Dexamethasone Without Immediate Antibiotics vs Placebo on Acute Sore Throat in Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Acute sore throat poses a significant burden on primary care and is a source of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Corticosteroids could be an alternative symptomatic treatment.

Objective

To assess the clinical effectiveness of oral corticosteroids for acute sore throat in the absence of antibiotics.

Design, setting, and participants

Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial (April 2013-February 2015; 28-day follow-up completed April 2015) conducted in 42 family practices in South and West England, enrolled 576 adults recruited on the day of presentation to primary care with acute sore throat not requiring immediate antibiotic therapy.

Interventions

Single oral dose of 10 mg of dexamethasone (n = 293) or identical placebo (n = 283).

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SUBMITTER: Hayward GN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5470351 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature