Corticosteroids Might Be Beneficial in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Two systematic reviews published in 2004 demonstrated improved survival in adult patients with septic shock who were treated with corticosteroids (JW Emerg Med Jul 28 2004). However, a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial published in 2008 found otherwise (JW Emerg Med Jan 9 2008). To further examine the effects of corticosteroid treatment for adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, investigators conducted a systematic review of 17 randomized controlled trials (2138 patients) and 3 quasi-randomized controlled trials (246 patients) that were identified from major databases and other sources through March 2009.

Overall, 28-day mortality (the primary outcome) did not differ significantly between the treated and control groups (…