What was the prescribed prednisolone regimen in the COPD case?

What was the prescribed prednisolone regimen in the COPD case?

• A. 10 mg daily for 5 days
• B. 30 mg daily for 5 days
• C. 50 mg daily for 7 days
• D. 5 mg daily for 3 days

Answer: (B)

In COPD exacerbations, a short course of systemic corticosteroids is used to speed up recovery and reduce the chance of relapse, while keeping side effects to a minimum. The 30 mg of prednisolone taken daily for five days is a standard regimen because it provides enough anti-inflammatory effect to improve symptoms without extending exposure. It’s roughly equivalent in potency to prednisone 40 mg daily for five days, but uses prednisolone, the active form in the body. Longer or higher-dose regimens don’t improve outcomes and increase risks, while too short or too low a dose doesn’t adequately control inflammation. So the five-day, 30 mg-per-day plan hits the balance supported by guidelines.

In COPD exacerbations, a short course of systemic corticosteroids is used to speed up recovery and reduce the chance of relapse, while keeping side effects to a minimum. The 30 mg of prednisolone taken daily for five days is a standard regimen because it provides enough anti-inflammatory effect to improve symptoms without extending exposure. It’s roughly equivalent in potency to prednisone 40 mg daily for five days, but uses prednisolone, the active form in the body. Longer or higher-dose regimens don’t improve outcomes and increase risks, while too short or too low a dose doesn’t adequately control inflammation. So the five-day, 30 mg-per-day plan hits the balance supported by guidelines.