Treatment Options without Antibotics for Sore Throat (TOAST)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Do oral corticosteroids provide clinical and cost-effective symptom relief for sore throat? A multi-centre, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

• IRAS ID

  117705

• Contact name

  Carl Heneghan

• Sponsor organisation

  Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

• Eudract number

  2012-004330-41

• ISRCTN Number

  n/a

• Research summary

  This trial is looking at different options for sore throat treatments. Currently nearly half of all acute sore throats presented in primary care are treated with antibiotics. However, this is an expensive option, is not proven to be effective in all situations and antibiotic resistance is on the rise. We are therefore looking at the use of a corticosteroid to treat acute sore throats. The trial will look at a steroid versus placebo in sore throat treatment and then also at two groups, one being those that are given antibiotics alongside the steroid treatment and the other those that are only given the steroid treatment. We are interested in seeing whether a steroid alone is effective in reducing sore throat symptoms in 24 and 48 hours and whether this approach is more cost effective in the long term. The participants will be randomised to receive either a placebo or steroid and neither they nor the doctor will know what treatment they are being given. The steroid being used is Dexamethasone, one 10mg dose will be given. This is a standard dose and safe for short term use. The trial will be run from three centres; Oxford, Bristol and Southampton and will run in GP surgeries in those regions. Eligible patients are those who are over 18 and whose sore throats meet various sore throat measuring criteria. Those people who are eligible will take one dose of medication, either placebo or steroid, and then will be asked to complete a symptom diary every day for the following 7 days. They will also be asked at 24 and 48 hours if their sore throat has resolved via text or phone. At one month their medical notes will be reviewed by their GP to see what further treatment they have received.

• REC name

  South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  12/SC/0684

• Date of REC Opinion

  20 Dec 2012

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion