Fig. 3

Primary endpoint of the SUPERIOR trial. The graph shows the percent achievement of the primary endpoint in the two groups of treatment. The primary endpoint is early worsening of the patients defined as at least one-point increase of admission SOFA score after 24 h. The table shows the logistic regression analysis of variables associated with primary outcome. Five covariates were included in the multivariate analysis. Three variables (MH of COPD, chronic intake of corticosteroids and admission APACHE II score) had p value less than 0.100 in the univariate analysis between achievers and non-achievers of the primary endpoint. Two variables (male gender and MH of coronary heart disease) had p value less than 0.100 in the comparisons of the baseline demographics between the two groups of treatment. APACHE Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation, CI confidence interval, COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, MH medical history, n number of patients, OR odds ratio