Blum 2015.
Methods | Multi‐centre. randomized, placebo‐controlled, 2‐parallel‐group study Dates study was conducted: from December 2009 to May 2014 |
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Participants | Adults (n = 800) patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia Subgroups based on adrenal status assessed by a 250‐µg ACTH test Setting: emergency and medical wards Study location: Switzerland |
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Interventions |
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Outcomes |
Primary
Secondary
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Notes | We contacted study authors and obtained access to trial protocol and some missing data Funding source: Swiss National Science Foundation, Viollier AG, Nora van Meeuwen Haefliger Stiftung, Julia und Gottfried Bangerter‐Rhyner Stiftung |
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Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Computer‐generated randomization list |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Low risk | Randomization was centralized Generator and executor of randomization were separated Variable block sizes of 4 to 6 |
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 | Outcomes reported matched outcomes planned by trial protocol, which was publicly released before the end of the recruitment period |
Other bias | Low risk | Contact with trial authors; access to trial protocol but could not identify areas of bias |