The use of dexamethasone in the treatment of acute tonsillitis.

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A single centre double blind randomised controlled trial investigating the use of dexamethasone in the treatment of acute tonsillitis.

• IRAS ID

  18269

• Contact name

  Mark Johnston

• Sponsor organisation

  Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Eudract number

  2009-014827-21

• ISRCTN Number

  N/A

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/A

• Research summary

  Acute Tonsillitis is a common condition characterised by inflammation of the tonsils associated with pain, fever and difficulty swallowing. Admission to hospital is only required in severe cases for those unable to eat and drink and for pain control. Current hospital treatments are painkillers, intravenoufluds and intravenous antibiotics. Sometimes steroids are used in the more severe or refractory cases. There is no clinical data to date investigating the use of steroids in acute tonsillitis. Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of steroid hormones and it acts as an anti-inflammatoryThe aim of this study is to assess if the addition of a single dose of dexamethasone, to the treatment of acute tonsillitis with intravenous antibiotics, analgesia and intravenoufluds speeds up the ability to eat and drink.This study is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Consenting subjects will be randomized to one of the two arms of the study, by sealed envelopes supplied by the Research and Development department at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The admitting doctor will prescribe in the participating patients drug chart, a prescription for the ??Trial drug?. The senior nurse looking after the patient will administer the drug directed in the sealed envelope; either dexamethasone 8mg IV or 2 mls normal saline IV per the ??trial drug prescription?. The administration of the dexamethasone or sodium chloride 0.9% will also be recorded on an administration record form. The study drug will be administered only once at the same time as the first dose of intravenous antibiotics is given. The standard treatment of acute tonsillitis will be given to all patients. Data collection forms will be used to assess the patient??s ability to swallow and their pain score.

• REC name

  East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  09/H0405/43

• Date of REC Opinion

  19 Jan 2010

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion