title: Clinical review: a systematic review of corticosteroid use in infections.
abstract: Traditional teaching suggests that corticosteroids should be avoided during acute infectious episodes for fear of compromising the immune response. However, the outcome benefit shown through steroid administration in early septic shock implies this paranoia may be misplaced. We therefore performed a systematic review of the literature to identify the current strength of evidence for the use of corticosteroids in specified infections, and to make appropriate graded recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer St, London W1T 3AA, UK.
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aberdein
authors.forename: Mervyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones