LAUSR

High Frequency of Systemic Corticosteroid Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Illnesses in Ambulatory Settings Clinical practice guidelines do not recommend systemic steroids in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs).1 While some studies have shown earlier symptom resolution with steroids given for pharyngitis,2 clinical trials show no efficacy of systemic steroids for sinusitis3 and bronchitis.4 Adverse events can develop within 30 days of short-term steroid use, which raises concern about the safety of systemic steroids for ARTIs.5 We conducted the present study to examine the frequency of steroid use for ARTIs in Louisiana and nationally and to examine factors associated with this clinical practice.