Abstract

Aim: Our aim was to assess the incidence of adrenal insufficiency in critically ill patients with septic shock admitted to a tertiary care ICU and to assess the effectiveness of hydrocortisone in these patients in relation to mortality of patient and development of septic shock. Methods: Serum cortisol was measured in 126 patients with sepsis. Patients with decreased cortisol level were divided in to two groups.(group A and B). Group A received 50mg of hydrocortisone 6hourly and group B was given matching placebo. At day 7 serum cortisol level was estimated for both group A and group B. The result was calculated and compared in relation to incidence of adrenal insufficiency, development of septic shock, effect on total leucocyte count and survival at 28 day.

Description