Prednisone in the Management of Pericarditis: A Systematic Review.
Ghazal Razeghi, Faisal Ahmed, Alfred E Genadri et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the use of oral corticosteroids, primarily prednisone, in adults with acute or recurrent pericarditis. It included ten studies with 2632 patients, revealing inconsistent associations between corticosteroid use and pericarditis recurrence. Most studies indicated higher recurrence rates in recurrent pericarditis with corticosteroid exposure, highlighting the need for more rigorous trials.
Key findings
- Ten studies included, with 2632 patients, of which 800 were treated with corticosteroids.
- Corticosteroid dosing varied widely from 0.25 to 1.0 mg/kg/d.
- Most studies reported higher recurrence rates in recurrent pericarditis with corticosteroid exposure.
- Overall risk of bias was moderate, with limited confounding adjustments.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of corticosteroids in pericarditis management is crucial, as inconsistent evidence may impact treatment decisions and patient outcomes. Clinicians need to be aware of the potential for increased recurrence rates associated with corticosteroid use.