Chrysotherapy in the treatment of corticosteroid-dependent asthma.

The efficacy of parenteral gold therapy was evaluated in patients with steroid-dependent asthma. Five of eight patients improved in terms of reduced steroid requirement while they were maintaining or improving lung function. Two patients developed significant proteinuria that resolved with cessation of gold. Chrysotherapy appears to have a corticosteroid-sparing effect in some patients and may have a useful role in the management of severe refractory asthma.