Steroid Use in Sepsis

ABSTRACT

Sepsis is defined as “systemic signs and symptoms of infection in the presence of infection”. Nearly one fourth of sepsis cases eventually die. Therefore, rapid and correct management of sepsis is important. There is no reliable test to evaluate adrenal insufficiency in sepsis due to the changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and intracellular effects of cortisol during the critical illness. Clinical studies reported conflicting results regarding the effects of steroid therapy on mortality and morbidity in sepsis. Contemporary sepsis management guidelines - although not based on strong evidence - suggest consideration of steroid use in septic patients who do not respond to intravenous fluids and vasopressors. Stronger evidence obtained from randomized controlled trials is needed for this suggestion to be certain.