title: What is the role of corticosteroids in the management of sepsis?
abstract: During an episode of sepsis, the systemic inflammatory response phenomenon triggers a deficit in the action and/or secretion of cortisol. It has been suggested that the use of corticosteroids may have a role in the management of sepsis, but there is no consensus. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified 16 systematic reviews including 66 randomized controlled trials addressing the question of this article. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings following the GRADE approach. We concluded the use of corticosteroids during a sepsis episode probably favors reversal of shock, briefly shortens the stay in intensive care unit and might reduce mortality, with few clinically relevant adverse effects.
authors: Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile. Address: Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Lira 63, Santiago Centro, Chile. Email: rcastro@med.puc.cl.
authors: Joaquín
authors: J
authors: Jerez
authors: Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Medicina Intensiva, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Ricardo
authors: R
authors: Castro
mesh_terms: D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006854:Hydrocortisone