The use of corticosteroid as treatment in SARS was associated with adverse outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To study the effect of corticosteroids in the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 78 consecutive adult SARS patients admitted to a regional hospital in Hong Kong between March and May 2003 was analysed to study the effectiveness of corticosteroid. They were categorized according to whether or not corticosteroid therapy was given, and compared in terms of demographic characteristics, comorbidities, peak lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and clinical outcomes.