Article
作者: Brekelmans, GFJ ; Saxena, R ; ten Houten, R ; Struys, MA ; Berendes, JN ; van Schaik, IN ; Jansen, C ; Molenaar, DSM ; Schipper, JP ; Grosveld, WJHM ; Broere, D ; Meijer, RJ ; Vrooland, L ; Beintema, KD ; van Raak, EPM ; van Spreeken, A ; van Dijk, GW ; Krooman, JP ; Esselink, RAJ ; Gerrits, M ; Stevens, M ; Wennekes, MJ ; Mauser, HW ; Alting van Geusau, RB ; ter Spill, HW ; Christiaans, MH ; Enting, RH ; Wessels, PH ; Hoefnagels, W ; Vermeij, AJ ; de Jong, PJ ; Baart, JC ; de Steen, Avan ; Reijneveld, JC ; van Zuilen, EV ; Boon, AM ; Snoek, JW ; van de Vlasakker, CJW ; Oonk, JGW ; Bienfait, HP ; Fennis, TFM ; Holscher, RS ; Verheul, GAM ; Straathof, CSM ; Smits, RCF ; Heerema, J ; Bollen, AE ; de Graaf, RJ ; Prick, JJW ; Leenders, EM ; Kerkhoff, H ; Keuter, EJV ; Knibbeler, JGM ; Oerlemans, WGH ; Hoogerwaard, EM ; Duyff, RF ; Huisman, UW ; Herderschee, D ; Koppenaal, A ; Heckenberg, Sebastiaan G.B. ; Weisfelt, M ; Berntsen, PJIM ; van de Beek, Diederik ; Visee, HF ; Dunnewold, RJW ; Medaer, RHJ ; van der Ende, Arie ; Blankevoort, JP ; Koeman, JP ; Zorgdrager, AN ; Zegerius, L ; van der Kamp, W ; Bülens, C ; van Lieshout, HBM ; van der Plas, JPL ; van den Berg, JSP ; Jacobs, BC ; Pop, PHM ; Kwa, IH ; van Domburg, PHMF ; Lohman, HJMM ; Geelen, JAG ; Anten, HWM ; Schiphof, PR ; Wieringa, EJ ; Brouwer, Matthijs C. ; Wouda, EJ ; Kok, AJM ; Don, JA ; Admiraal, P ; Roebroek, RMJA ; Gijsbers, CJ ; Witteveen, RJW ; Taphoorn, MJB ; Keunen, RWM
OBJECTIVES:We evaluated the implementation and effectiveness of adjunctive dexamethasone in adults with meningococcal meningitis.
METHODS:We compared 2 Dutch prospective nationwide cohort studies on community-acquired meningococcal meningitis. A total of 258 patients with CSF culture-proven meningitis were enrolled between 1998 and 2002, before routine dexamethasone therapy was introduced, and 100 patients from March 2006 to January 2011, after guidelines recommended dexamethasone.
RESULTS:Dexamethasone was administered in 43 of 258 (17%) patients in the 1998-2002 cohort and in 86 of 96 (90%) patients in the 2006-2011 cohort (p < 0.001), and was started with or before the first dose of antibiotics in 12 of 258 (5%) and 85 of 96 (89%) patients (p < 0.001). Rates of unfavorable outcome were similar between cohorts (12 of 100 [12%] vs 30 of 258 [12%]; p = 0.67), also after correction for meningococcal serogroup. The rates of hearing loss (3 of 96 [3%] vs 19 of 237 [8%]; p = 0.10) and death (4 of 100 [4%] vs 19 of 258 [7%]; p = 0.24) were lower in the 2006-2011 cohort, but this did not reach significance. The rate of arthritis was lower in patients treated with dexamethasone (32 of 258 [12%] vs 5 of 96 [5%], p = 0.046). Dexamethasone was not associated with adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS:Adjunctive dexamethasone is widely prescribed for patients with meningococcal meningitis and is not associated with harm. The rate of arthritis has decreased after the implementation of dexamethasone.
CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE:This study provides Class III evidence that adjuvant dexamethasone in adults with meningococcal meningitis does not increase negative outcomes such as deafness, death, or negative Glasgow Outcome Scale measures.