The Effect of Moderate-Dose Steroid Therapy in Sepsis

Soon after the presumptive diagnosis of severe sepsis, initial laboratory specimens were obtained within 2 hours, and the patients were randomized to treatment with prednisolone or placebo groups. The treatment groups were determined by a computer-generated randomization procedure (in a 1:1 ratio). The steroid group received prednisolone at a moderate-dose (20 mg/day). Prednisolone was given intravenously at 06.00 (10 mg) 14.00 (5 mg) and 22.00 (5 mg) for 10 days. The standard therapy group received a placebo infusion containing physiological saline solution in an identical manner. Patients and their primary physicians were blinded as to which therapy was administered.