Bollaert 1998.

Methods	Randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel groups 2 centres Dates the study was conducted: not reported
Participants	Adults (n = 41) with vasopressor‐ and ventilator‐dependent septic shock Stratification according to cortisol response to 250 µg synacthene for non‐responders (delta cortisol ≤ 6 µg/dL) and responders (> 6 µg/dL) Setting: intensive care unit Study location: France
Interventions	Hydrocortisone (100 mg intravenous bolus every 8 hours for 5 days, then tapered over 6 days) Placebo Treatments have to be initiated after 48 hours or longer from shock onset
Outcomes	Primary Shock reversal Secondary 28‐Day mortality ICU mortality Hospital mortality Improvement in haemodynamics Length of stay in ICU and at hospital Safety
Notes	We contacted study authors and obtained access to individual patient data Funding source: Nancy University Hospital. Data were extracted by DA Risk of bias was assessed by DA and EB
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	Randomization list kept confidential by the pharmacist
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