Corticosteroids for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

response and should act on the exudative, pro liferative, and fibrotic phases of ARDS. 5,6 The effi cacy of corticosteroid treatment in patients with ARDS remains unclear.For example, a recent Co chrane review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) revealed no significant difference in all cause mortality at 3 months or earlier or reduc tion in the duration of mechanical ventilation. 5However, the results of a recent RCT suggested a potential beneficial effect of dexamethasone in ARDS, with reduced mortality, an increased number of ventilator free days, and shorter me chanical ventilation times.