Aboab 2008.

Methods	Randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel groups 1 centre Dates study was conducted: not reported
Participants	Adults (n = 23) with septic shock and adrenal insufficiency as defined by a cortisol response to 250 µg synacthene (delta cortisol) ≤ 9 µg/dL Setting: intensive care unit Study location: France
Interventions	Hydrocortisone (50 mg intravenous bolus every 6 hours for 7 days) plus fludrocortisone (50 µg taken orally every 24 hours for 7 days) Respective placebos
Outcomes	Short‐term improvement in autonomic failure as assessed by changes in the components of spectral analysis of cardiac and vascular signal variability between baseline and day 3 In‐hospital mortality
Notes	We contacted study authors and they could not provide missing data Funding source: authors' institution (public source) Data were extracted by BR Risk of bias was assessed by EB and BR
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Computer‐generated randomization scheme
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Centralized
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Participants: yes Caregivers: yes Data collectors: yes Outcome assessors: yes Data analysts: yes
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Lost to follow‐up: none
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	Access to study protocol excluding reporting bias
Other bias	Low risk	Full access to data excluding selection bias