Abstract
In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study of prednisolone therapy of acute alcoholic hepatitis, 39% of the total group of 28 patients died. Mortality and cumulative survival were similar in steroid- and placebo-treated patients. After 14 days of therapy, the serum albumin concentration and white blood count were significantly higher in the steroid group, but all other parameters were similar. An increased risk of fungal infection appeared to be associated with steroid therapy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blitzer BL, Mutchnick MG, Joshi PH, Phillips MM, Fessel JM, Conn HO: Adrenocorticosteroid therapy in alcoholic hepatitis: A prospective, double-blind, randomized study. Gastroenterology 64:880, 1973 (abstract)
Harinasuta U, Chomet B, Ishak K, Zimmerman HJ: Steatonecrosis—Mallory body type. Medicine 46:141–162, 1967
Lischner MW, Alexander JF, Galambos JT: Natural history of alcoholic hepatitis: I. The acute disease. Am J Dig Dis 16:481–494, 1971
Gregory D, Levi D: The clinical-pathologic spectrum of alcoholic hepatitis. Am J Dig Dis 17:479–488, 1972
Helman RA, Temko MH, Nye SW, Fallon JH: Alcoholic hepatitis: Natural history and evaluation of prednisolone therapy. Ann Intern Med 74:311–321, 1971
Porter HP, Simon FR, Pope CE, Volwiler W, Fenster LF: Corticosteroid therapy in severe alcoholic hepatitis: A double-blind drug trial. N Engl J Med 284:1350–1355, 1971
Campra JL, Hamlin EM, Kirshbaum RJ, Olivier M, Redeker AG, Reynolds TB: Prednisone therapy of acute alcoholic hepatitis. Report of a controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 79:625–631, 1973
Schlichting P, Juhl E, Poulsen H, Winkel P, Copenhagen Study Group for Liver Diseases: Alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis: Clinical significance and effect of long-term prednisone treatment. Scand J Gastroenterol 11:305–312, 1976
Cain C, Mayer G, Jones E: Augmentation of albumin but not fibrinogen synthesis by corticosteroids in patients with hepatocellular disease. J Clin Invest 49:2198–2204, 1970
Hasch E, Jarnum S, Tygstrup N: Albumin synthesis rate as a measure of liver function in patients with cirrhosis. Acta Med Scand 182:83–92, 1967
Conn HO: A rational program for the management of hepatic coma. Gastroenterology 57:715–723, 1969
Lesesne HR, Bozymski E, Fallon HJ: Treatment of alcoholic hepatitis with encephalopathy: Comparison of prednisolone with caloric supplements. Gastroenterology 67:808, 1974 (abstract)
Copenhagen Study Group for Liver Diseases: Sex, ascites, and alcoholism in survival of patients with cirrhosis: Effect of prednisone. N Engl J Med 291:271–273, 1974
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Portions of this work were contained in a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.D. degree at Yale University School of Medicine by Dr. Blitzer. Presented in part at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American Gastroenterological Association, May, 1973 (1).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blitzer, B.L., Mutchnick, M.G., Joshi, P.H. et al. Adrenocorticosteroid therapy in alcoholic hepatitis. Digest Dis Sci 22, 477–484 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01072499
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01072499