Impact on Efficacy and Safety of Hydrocortisone in Sepsis and Septic Shock – A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Sepsis and septic shock are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, associated with a high economic and social burden on healthcare systems and communities, yet with few definite treatment modalities. The efficacy of steroids in the management of sepsis or septic shock remains a controversy and subject of investigation due to their theoretical beneficial effects. Methods: This was a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials of hydrocortisone usage in sepsis or septic shock as of 2000, following the GRADE methodology, considering a primary outcome of 28 day all-cause mortality. Results: Ten randomized control trials were included in the review, 9 of which reported 28 day mortality either as a primary or secondary outcome. Relative risk of dying at 28 days was 0.93 in favor of hydrocortisone (95% CI: 0.86–1.01; P = 0.056). Other secondary outcomes of the review were similarly statistically insignificant. The quality of evidence was graded as very low to low. Conclusion: Hydrocortisone, when used in sepsis or septic shock, in critically ill adult patients showed a statistically insignificant trend towards decreasing 28 day all-cause mortality. This warrants consideration of clinical significance for each patient individually.