What do systematic reviews say?

Oral steroids vs placebo

It is very uncertain whether oral steroids changes adverse event: systemic corticosteroid side effects compared with placebo (very low certainty).

• Topical and oral steroids for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Very low

Oral steroids vs no treatment

• Topical and oral steroids for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Very low

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids vs oral steroids alone

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids may leads to lower adverse effects: acne compared with oral steroids alone (low certainty).

• Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with nephrotic syndrome 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.15 [0.03, 0.67]
  4 studies · 270 participants
  Low

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids vs oral steroids alone

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids showed no clear difference in adverse effects: hypertension compared with oral steroids alone (low certainty).

• Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with nephrotic syndrome 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.86 [0.23, 3.2]
  3 studies · 219 participants
  Low

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids vs oral steroids alone

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids showed no clear difference in adverse effects: diabetes or hyperglycaemia compared with oral steroids alone (low certainty).

• Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with nephrotic syndrome 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.48 [0.19, 1.25]
  7 studies · 450 participants
  Low

Oral steroids vs control

• Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children 2011 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  3 studies · 143 participants
  GRADE not reported

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids vs oral steroids alone

Calcineurin inhibitors ± oral steroids may leads to lower adverse effects: obesity or Cushing's Syndrome compared with oral steroids alone (low certainty).

• Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with nephrotic syndrome 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.11 [0.02, 0.59]
  5 studies · 388 participants
  Low

Summary of findings: intranasal steroids plus oral antibiotic vs control plus antibiotic

• Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children 2011 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 59 participants
  GRADE not reported

Summary of findings: oral steroids plus antibiotic vs control plus antibiotic

Summary of findings: oral steroids plus antibiotic showed no clear difference in adverse effects [2 weeks to 6 months] compared with control plus antibiotic (low certainty).

• Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children 2011 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.5 [0.81, 2.78]
  2 studies · 255 participants
  Low