Updated Dec 17, 2020 | 11:50 IST
Dexamethasone is a steroid that decreases the body’s natural defensive response and decreases inflammation such as swelling and allergic-type reactions, used as a treatment for chronic subdural haematoma. Steroid use in COVID treatment, Dexamethasone, should be avoided in patients with chronic subdural haematoma | Photo Credit: iStock Images
Key Highlights
Dexamethasone became a popular COVID-19 treatment, after it showed efficacy and safety in severe cases of infection
Dexamethasone has been used as a common treatment for chronic subdural haematoma since 1970s
A recent study has however found that use of dexamethasone for chronic subdural haematoma may have worse outcomes than no medication given for the condition
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A commonly-used treatment for chronic subdural haematoma - the build-up of old blood in the space between the brain and the skull, usually as a result of minor head injury - could lead to a worse outcome than receiving no medication, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge.
Chronic subdural haematoma is one of the most common neurological disorders and mainly affects older people. People affected often have headaches, deteriorating memory, confusion, balance problems or limb weakness. Surgery to drain the liquid collection is effective with the majority of patients improving.
A commonly used steroid, dexamethasone, has been used alongside surgery or instead of it since the 1970s. However, consensus has been lacking regarding the use of dexamethasone, especially since no high-quality studies confirming its effectiveness had been conducted until now.