Exercise: Prophylactic administration of parenteral steroids, answer 6

Question 6: What conclusions could we draw about the effect of steroids on laryngeal oedema?

Suggested answer:

Parenteral steroids reduce the risk of laryngeal oedema in extubated patients.

The common estimate of the odds ratio is 0.38, which is much less than the 1.00 we would have if there were no effect. The 95% confidence interval is 0.17 to 0.85, so the largest estimate for the odds ratio is 0.85, still condsiderably less than 1.00.

The odds ratio is also significantly different from 1.00, P = 0.02.

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Last updated: 18 February, 2009.