Dexamethasone Versus Prednisone for Asthma Treatment in the Pediatric Inpatient Population; a Feasibility Study
Summary
Current corticosteroid regimens for children hospitalized with asthma typically include a 5-day course of prednisone or prednisolone. However, these medications taste poorly and are associated with vomiting and poor compliance. Outpatient evidence suggests that a 2-day course of dexamethasone is as effective as a longer course of prednisone and prednisolone, and better tolerated. Studies in hospitalized patients are lacking. The investigators' primary objective is to determine the feasibility of a non-inferiority trial, comparing 2 days of dexamethasone to 4 days of inpatient prednisone/prednisolone for inpatient asthma treatment. The investigators also wish to determine the feasibility of 1) enrolling patients upon admission to hospital, 2) asking patients and/or caregivers to complete a symptom weekly for 4 weeks, 3) reassessing patients post hospital discharge, 4) successfully completing phone follow up 4 weeks post hospital discharge, and 5) collecting health utilization data post hospital discharge. This study will inform a future multi-site trial comparing prednisone/prednisolone to dexamethasone in inpatient asthma treatment. It has the potential of improving the delivery of care in asthma, by improving compliance with a mainstay of treatment. It will also enhance collaboration within Ontario pediatric hospitals, facilitating knowledge translation and standardization of care across institutions.
Timeline
- Start
- 2018-03-05
- Primary completion
- 2019-08-02
- Completion
- 2020-03-11
Outcome
Outcome not reported
Stopped: “it was felt by the sponsoring institution that the current standard of oversight expected by the Health Canada regulations, would not be possible to achieve”
Drugs
| Evaluation | Drug | Modality | Dose | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Dexamethasone | Small molecule | 0.6 mg/kg | Oral |
| Comparator | Prednisone | Other / unclassified | 1 mg/kg | Oral |