Table 4 The prescribing patterns of corticosteroids and antibiotics
Variable | N = 260 (%) |
|---|---|
Systemic corticosteroid received: | |
Oral prednisone | 55 (21.1%) |
Methylprednisolone | 151 (58.1%) |
Dexamethasone | 20 (7.7%) |
None | 34 (13.1%) |
Adequate administered dose of 40 mg prednisone or alternative | |
Yes | 55 (21.2%) |
No | 205 (78.8%) |
Duration of treatment between 5 to 7 days | |
Yes | 185 (71.2%) |
No | 75 (28.8) |
Add on the administration of inhaled corticosteroids | |
Yes | 131 (50.4%) |
No | 129 (49.6%) |
Eosinophil count ≥ 2% | |
Yes | 66 (25.3%) |
No | 194 (74.6%) |
Antibiotics administration | |
Yes | 206 (79.3%) |
No | 54 (20.7%) |
Cardinal symptoms appeared at admission | |
Increased shortness of breath | 88 (33.8%) |
Increased shortness of breath, increased sputum purulence | 35 (13.46%) |
Increased shortness of breath, increased sputum volume | 25 (9.6%) |
Increased shortness of breath, increased sputum purulence, increased sputum volume | 112 (43.07%) |
5–7-day duration of treatment | |
Yes | 158 (60.7%) |
No | 102 (39.3%) |