Glucocorticoid treatment on severe A/H1N1 influenza.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of glucocorticoid on the treatment of severe A/H1N1 influenza.METHODS The clinical data of 12 cases with severe A/H1N1 influenza admitted to 2 hospitals of BaoJi City from Oct.2009 to Feb.2010 were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS Glucocorticoid was used mostly in early phase,with small dosage and short period of treatment.There were 6 cases in glucocorticoid group and 6 cases in non-glucocorticoid group.The mean ages and gender ratios in glucocorticoid and non-glucocorticoid group were comparabled(both P0.05).The mean period of fever(6.3±3.5d)and the mean period of complete resolution of the inflammation in lungs(18.2± 7.8d)were both significantly shorter in glucocorticoid group compared with non-glucocorticoid group(8.1±3.2d,21.7±8.9 d,respectively)(both P0.05).Even the mortality of patients who were treated with glucocorticoid was higher than those without glucocorticoid(16.7% vs 0),although there was no statistically significant difference(P0.05).CONCLUSION Even though the administration of glucocorticoid in early phase of severe A/H1N1 influenza in small dosage and short term regimen can significantly shorten the course of the disease and accelerate the resolution of inflammation in lungs,the glucocorticoid is not the essential drug for the treatment of severe A/H1N1 influenza.