Table 2

Summary of the major studies on the use of steroids in the treatment of sepsis

Author
Treatment protocol
Outcome

Klastersky J et al 1971 [1]
Betamethasone 1 mg/kg for 3 days
No difference in mortality
Schumer et al 1976 [2]
2 part study:


Part 1 (prospective study): dexamethasone 3 mg/kg or


methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg or placebo
Decrease in mortality

Part 2 (retrospective study) dexamethasone or


methylprednisolone or placebo
Decrease in mortality
Lucas and Ledgerwood 1984 [3]
Dexamethasone 6 mg/kg for 48 h
No difference in mortality
Sprung et al 1984 [4]
Methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg, dexamethasone 6 mg/kg
Decrease in mortality
Bone et al 1987 [5]
Multicentre study


Methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg 4 doses over 24 h
Increase in mortality
Hinshaw et al 1987 [6]
Methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg
No difference in mortality
Luce et al 1988 [7]
Methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg 4 doses over 24 h
No difference in mortality

Smith Critical Care 2001 5:72   doi:10.1186/cc990