Corticosteroids for sore throat: a clinical practice guideline

Bert Aertgeerts*, Thomas Agoritsas, Reed A. C. Siemieniuk, Jako Burgers, Geertruida E. Bekkering, Arnaud Merglen, Mieke van Driel, Mieke Vermandere, Dominique Bullens, Patrick Mbah Okwen, Ricardo Nino, Ann van den Bruel, Lyubov Lytvyn, Carla Berg-Nelson, Shunjie Chua, Jack Leahy, Jennifer Raven, Michael Weinberg, Behnam Sadeghirad, Per O. VandvikRomina Brignardello-Petersen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

What is the role of a single dose of oral corticosteroids for those with acute sore throat? Using the GRADE framework according to the BMJ Rapid Recommendation process, an expert panel make a weak recommendation in favour of corticosteroid use. The panel produced these recommendations based on a linked systematic review triggered by a large randomised trial published in April 2017. This trial reported that corticosteroids increased the proportion of patients with complete resolution of pain at 48 hours. Box 1 shows all of the articles and evidence linked in this Rapid Recommendation package. The infographic provides the recommendation together with an overview of the absolute benefits and harms of corticosteroids in the standard GRADE format. Table 2 below shows any evidence that has emerged since the publication of this article. Clinicians and their patients can find consultation decision aids to facilitate shared decision making in MAGICapp (www.magicapp.org/goto/guideline/JjXYAL/section/j79pvn).

Original languageEnglish
Article numberj4090
Number of pages7
JournalBMJ
Volume358
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Sept 2017

Keywords

  • ACUTE PHARYNGITIS
  • ADULTS
  • RECOMMENDATIONS
  • ANTIBIOTICS
  • MANAGEMENT
  • STRENGTH
  • GRADE

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