Effect of induction agent on vasopressor and steroid use, and outcome in patients with septic shock

Table 4 Characteristics of patients given hydrocortisone and those who received no steroid

	Hydrocortisone (n = 87)	No steroid (n = 60)	P value
Male/female	54:33	32:28	0.29
Mean age in years	66	65	0.90
APACHE II score	28	26	0.49
Predicted mortality	70%	60%	0.42
SOFA score	11	9	0.014
Medical/surgical	49:38	29:31	0.34
Total NA dose in milligrams	73	31	< 0.001
Maximum NA dose in micrograms per kilogram per minute	0.57	0.26	< 0.001
Averaged NA dose in micrograms per kilogram per minute	0.31	0.15	< 0.001

Data for the 12 patients taking prednisolone chronically are not included. Except for age, data are given as numbers or median. NA, noradrenaline; SOFA, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment.

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