Time course of response to prednisolone in chronic airflow obstruction

Abstract

Nineteen patients with chronic airflow obstruction measured their morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) daily for 28 days. A placebo was taken for the first week and prednisolone 20 mg twice daily was taken for the last 3 weeks. The mean PEF in 13 patients who responded to prednisolone reached a maximum after 8 days' treatment. The majority of the 19 patients had asthma and were thought to represent a typical cross section of patients who would be considered for a trial of oral corticosteroids. Most responsive patients will achieve a maximum response within 8 days.