Comparison between high and moderate doses of hydrocortisone in the treatment of status asthmaticus.

In a group of 40 adult patients in status asthmaticus, the responses to two different dosages of hydrocortisone were studied. All patients received a uniform treatment and were sequentially assigned to one of the following two groups: high dosage of hydrocortisone (80 mg/kg/day); or moderate dosage (6 mg/kg/day). The hydrocortisone was given intravenously in divided doses every six hours. The study lasted five days, and forced spirometry was performed daily at noon. The condition of all of the patients improved gradually, and when comparing both groups, no statistically significant differences were found in their spirometric measurements. We did not find any difference in the reversal of airway obstruction in the treatment of status asthmaticus by using a high dosage of hydrocortisone when compared with a lower moderate one.