Clinical efficacy of low-dose glucocorticoid therapy for critically ill patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: A retrospective cohort study
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Glucocorticoid therapy is now recommended as an adjunctive treatment for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). However, no criteria for identifying patients suitable for receiving glucocorticoid therapy, nor recommended regimens to achieve clinical benefit were defined.
METHODS
A retrospective study was performed to include patients with confirmed SFTS from designated hospitals. The effect of glucocorticoids in reducing case fatality rate (CFR) and improving clinical recovery was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression models.
RESULTS
A total of 2,478 eligible patients were analyzed, of whom 331 received glucocorticoids. An integrated parameter (L-index) based on Log10(LDH*BUN/LYM) was constructed to discriminate disease severity. In patients with L-index >3.823 indicating severe SFTS, significantly reduced CFR was observed in patients receiving low-moderate glucocorticoid doses with ≤60 mg daily methylprednisolone or equivalent (OR 0.46, 95% CI, 0.23-0.88), while not in the high dose group. In patients with L-index ≤3.823 indicating mild SFTS, glucocorticoid treatment was significantly associated with increased CFR (OR 3.34, 95% CI, 1.35-9.51), and mainly attributable to high-dose glucocorticoids (OR 2.83, 95% CI, 1.72-4.96). Disaggregated data analysis revealed significant effect only in patients of ≤65 years old, male, and early admission within 7 days after onset, but not in their counterparts.
CONCLUSIONS
Glucocorticoids are not…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 2,478 participants or records.
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