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Prednisolone therapy is effective in improving short-term survival in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) but patients receiving steroids have a higher rate of infections.
To determine the incidence of bacterial infections, their effects on clinical outcomes, and risk factors for infection, researchers conducted a secondary analysis of 1092 patients with severe SAH who were randomized to prednisolone (40 mg daily) or pentoxifylline (400 mg three times daily) in a large trial. Rates of bacterial infection were determined at baseline, weekly during admission, at discharge, and after 90 days.
One hundred and thirty-five patients (12%) had infection at baseline, 251 developed infection during treatment, and 89 developed infection after…