Study Findings:

• 21% of the patients given steroids had died, compared with 18% of those given the fake drug. The results were the same regardless of how quickly the treatment was administered and regardless of the type or severity of the head injury.
• It remains to be seen whether patients getting steroids fare better in the long term from the disabling effects of the trauma.

Method:

• 10,008 patients in 49 countries who had severe head injuries were randomly allocated either a steroid drip or a fake drip for 48 hours after being admitted to the emergency room.

Related Articles:

• Steroids not helpful for head injury, study shows
• Original research: Effect of intravenous corticosteroids on death within 14 days in 10 008 adults with clinically significant head injury (MRC CRASH trial): randomised placebo-controlled trial

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 13th, 2004 at 10:44 pm and is filed under Head Injury, Risk increased, Steroids. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.