Evaluating the effectiveness and safety of hydrocortisone therapy in cancer patients with septic shock.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hydrocortisone (HC) in cancer patients with septic shock.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study of adult cancer patients with septic shock who received low-dose HC therapy (200 mg/day). The effectiveness of HC was assessed by determining the proportion of patients with reversal of septic shock, time to reversal, and mortality. The safety was assessed by determining the incidences of hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, and secondary infections, using a case-control approach.


RESULTS
During the study period, 96 patients were enrolled. Reversal of septic shock was reported in 46 (47.9%) patients, median time to reversal was 1.9 days (range 0.2-7.6), ICU mortality was reported in 62 (65.26%) patients, and 28-day mortality in 64 (66.7%) patients. The incidence of secondary infections was higher in patients who received HC therapy, compared to patients who did not receive HC during septic shock: 44.8% vs 27.4%, P = 0.028.


CONCLUSIONS
HC therapy was associated with resolution of septic shock in about half of the patients and a high incidence of secondary infections. Prospective studies are needed to fully assess the efficacy and safety of HC in cancer patients with septic shock.
Department of Pharmacy, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.
Lama
L
Nazer
Regional Life Support Center, Amman, Jordan.
Taghreed
T
AlNajjar
Department of Pharmacy, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.
Mohammad
M
Al-Shaer
Center of Scientific Affairs and Research, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.
Dalia
D
Rimawi
Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan fhawari@khcc.jo.
Feras
F
Hawari
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006854:Hydrocortisone
Sepsis; efficacy; infection; oncology; steroids