Question Does adjunctive early hydrocortisone therapy prevent the development of septic shock in patients with severe sepsis who are not in shock? Findings In this randomized clinical trial that included 380 adults, occurrence of septic shock was not significantly different between patients who received hydrocortisone or placebo (21.2% vs 22.9%, respectively). Meaning Administration of hydrocortisone did not prevent the development of shock in patients with severe sepsis.
