Do corticosteroids reduce the mortality of influenza A (H1N1) infection? A meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Corticosteroids are used empirically in influenza A (H1N1) treatment despite lack of clear evidence for effective treatment. This study aims to assess the efficacy of corticosteroids treatment for H1N1 infection.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis were used to estimate the efficacy of corticosteroids for the prevention of mortality in H1N1 infection. Databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials and so on, and bibliographies of retrieved articles, from April 2009 to October 2014. We included both cohort studies and case-control studies reported in English or Chinese that compared treatment effects between corticosteroids and non-corticosteroids therapy in inpatients with H1N1 virus infection

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4348153 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature