High Dose Glucocorticoids in the Management of Severe Head Injury

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Abstract
Eighty-eight patients with a Glasgow coma score of 8 or less 6 hours after nonpenetrating head trauma were given either high dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate (30 mg/kg q6h ×2, then 250 mg q6h ×6, then tapering over 8 days), low dose methylprednisolone (1.5 mg/kg q6h ×2, then 25 mg q6h ×6, then tapering over 8 days), or placebo. Standard care including the removal of traumatic hematomas, assisted ventilation, and intracranial pressure monitoring and control was carried out. Follow-up assessments were performed on all surviving patients at 6 months and were graded according to the Glascow outcome scale. No statistically significant difference in outcome was seen between the low dose group and the placebo group. The high dose group experienced a mortality of 39% as compared to a 52% mortality in the low dose and placebo groups (P < 0.05). Mortality differences were most marked in patients less than 40 years old, with the high dose group experiencing a mortality of 6% as compared to a 43% mortality for the low dose and placebo groups (P < 0.05). For patients under 50 years old, the incidence of recovery of speech was 62% compared to 36% in the low dose and placebo groups (P < 0.5). The increased survival in those treated with high dose corticoids, however, was associated with an increase in the poorer outcome categories.

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