Table 1 Subgroup analysis of delta SOFA score and short-term mortality

Overall effect

MD = − 0.62 [− 1.00 to − 0.25], p = 0.001

OR = 0.89 [0.77 to 1.04], p = 0.14

 Dose

  < 25 mg/kg/d

Not estimable

Not estimable

  25–100 mg/kg/d

MD = − 0.85 [− 1.23 to − 0.46], p < 0.0001

OR = 0.80 [0.65 to 0.97], p = 0.03

  > 100 mg/kg/d

MD = 0.18 [− 0.29 to 0.65], p = 0.45

OR = 1.02 [0.82 to 1.27], p = 0.84

 Therapy regimens

  Combined therapy

MD = − 0.53 [− 0.81 to − 0.25], p = 0.0002

OR = 0.95 [0.78 to 1.16], p = 0.64

  Monotherapy

MD = − 0.66 [− 1.83 to 0.50], p = 0.26

OR = 0.82 [0.66 to 1.03], p = 0.09

 Duration

  < 96 h

MD = 0.00 [− 1.46 to 1.46], p = 1.00

OR = 0.72 [0.33 to 1.58], p = 0.41

  96 h

MD = − 0.50 [− 0.91 to − 0.08], p = 0.02

OR = 1.0 [0.79 to 1.27], p = 1.00

  Unclear

MD = − 0.76 [− 1.32 to − 0.20], p = 0.008

OR = 0.84 [0.69 to 1.02], p = 0.08

 Patient

  Sepsis

MD = − 1.47 [− 2.68 to − 0.26], p = 0.02

OR = 0.43 [0.2 to 0.96], p = 0.04

  Septic shock

MD = − 0.41 [− 0.73 to − 0.09], p = 0.01

OR = 0.9 [0.71 to 1.13], p = 0.37

  Unclear

MD = − 0.86 [− 1.63 to − 0.08], p = 0.03

OR = 0.93 [0.77 to 1.14], p = 0.49