Clinical question
How effective and safe are corticosteroids in reducing the symptoms of sore throat in adults and children?
Bottom line
Oral or intramuscular corticosteroids, in addition to antibiotics, moderately increased the likelihood of both resolution and improvement of pain in participants with sore throat.
Caveat
Studies were conducted in general practice and emergency department settings. Most trials were performed in the US, and 2 in Europe. The studies included in this review did not demonstrate increased side effects in participants receiving corticosteroids. However, these studies were unlikely to be powered sufficiently to detect adverse effects of short courses of oral corticosteroids, and reporting of adverse events was poor.
Only 2 trials included children, and the results of these trials were inconsistent. It will be important to await results from future trials in children to develop a clearer understanding of whether corticosteroids also provide a benefit in this population.
Context
Sore throat is a common condition associated with a high rate of antibiotic prescriptions, despite limited evidence for the effectiveness of antibiotics. Corticosteroids may improve symptoms of sore throat by reducing inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
Cochrane Systematic Review
Cassan S et al. Corticosteroids as standalone or add‐on treatment for sore throat. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD008268. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008268.pub3. This review contains 9 trials with a total of 1319 participants.
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