Effect of Continuous Infusion vs Bolus Dose of Hydrocortisone in Septic Shock: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Aim and background: Corticosteroids are recommended for use in adult patients with septic shock requiring vasopressors for blood pressure maintenance. However, this predisposes them to hyperglycemia, which is associated with a poor outcome. This prospective randomized study compares the effect of continuous infusion with bolus hydrocortisone on blood glucose levels in septic shock.

Materials and methods: Forty adult patients with sepsis and septic shock requiring vasopressor support were randomly allocated to either group C (continuous infusion of hydrocortisone 200 mg/day) or group B (intermittent bolus dose of hydrocortisone 50 mg IV 6 hourly). Blood glucose level (primary objective), number of hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic episodes, daily insulin requirement, shock reversal incidence, time to shock reversal, and nursing workload required to maintain blood glucose within the target range (82-180 mg/dL) were compared.

Results: The mean blood glucose level was comparable in the two groups (136.5 ± 22.08 mg/dL in group C vs 135.85 ± 19.06 mg/dL in group B; p = 0.921). The number of hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic episodes (p = 1.000 each), insulin requirement/day (p = 1.000), and nursing workload (p = 0.751) were also comparable among groups. Shock reversal was seen in 7/20 (35%) patients in continuous group and 12/20 (60%) patients in bolus group (p = 0.113). Time to shock reversal (p = 0.917) and duration of ICU stay (p = 0.751) were also statistically comparable.

Conclusion: Both the regimes of hydrocortisone, continuous infusion, and bolus dose, have comparable effects on blood glucose levels in patients with septic shock.The study was registered prospectively with ctri.nic.in (Ref. No. CTRI/2021/01/030342; registered on 8/1/2021).

How to cite this article: Salhotra R, Sharahudeen A, Tyagi A, Rautela RS, Kemprai R. Effect of Continuous Infusion vs Bolus Dose of Hydrocortisone in Septic Shock: A Prospective Randomized Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(9):837-841.