Adjunctive dexamethasone therapy in unconfirmed bacterial meningitis in resource limited settings: is it a risk worth taking?

摘要: Abstract Background Bacterial meningitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in medical care. The main objective of this study was to assess the association adjunctive dexamethasone treatment discharge outcome patients treated as bacterial low income setting. Methods A retrospective conducted at four teaching hospitals across Ethiopia. Patients age 14 years older cases between January 1, 2011 April 30, 2015 were included study. Information regarding sociodemographic data, clinical presentations, laboratory treatments given status hospital retrieved from patients’ records using a structured questionnaire. Predefined variables analysed descriptive statistics. Multivariable logistic regression used identify factors independently poor outcome. Results total 425 presumptive diagnosis (lumbar puncture done 56 %; only 19 % had CSF findings compatible meningitis, 3 % proven etiology). overall rate 20.2 %. Impaired consciousness, aspiration pneumonia, cranial nerve palsy admission increased mortality. Adjuvant dexamethasone, which 50.4 % patients, in-hospital (AOR = 3.38; 95 % CI 1.87–6.12, p Conclusion Most for suspected did not receive proper diagnostic workup. use clinically but unproven an GOS. These show that there are potential deleterious effects unconfirmed Physicians practising under such circumstances should thus abide current recommendation defer adjuvant corticosteroid meningitis.