Featured review: Corticosteroids for treating sepsis

The authors reviewed the evidence on the effect on death of using corticosteroids in children and adults with sepsis.Sepsis is present when an infection is complicated by organ failure. People develop rapid breathing, hypotension (low blood pressure), and mental confusion. Sepsis can interfere with the effectiveness of the body ’s corticosteroids, which serve as a key defence against infection. Corticosteroids have been given for decades to people with infection resulting from various causes.The review included 61 trials (12,192 participants). Fifty-eight trials compared corticosteroids to no corticosteroids  (placebo orusual care in 48 and nine trials, respectively); three trials also compared continuous versus bolus administration of corticosteroids.The authors analysed the following two comparisons: Corticosteroids versus placebo/usual care: Corticosteroids probably reduce the risk of death at 28 days by 9% (50 trials; 11,233 participants), with consistent treatment effects between children and adults. They also probably slightly reduce the risk of dying in hospital. There may be little or no effect of corticosteroids on risk of dying over the long term (longer than three months), but these results are less certain. Corticosteroids result in a large reduction in length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in hospital. Corticosteroids increase the risk of muscle weakness and hypernatraemia. They probably increase the risk of hyperglycaemia. They probably do  no...
Source: Cochrane News and Events - Category: Information Technology Authors: Source Type: news