Fig. 4

Secondary outcomes & post hoc analysis: Cough Score, oxygen use and plasma corticosteroid levels. a day-time and (b) night-time cough scores recorded on days 1–10. Range: 0 = no cough, 5 = distressing cough. Mean and 95% CI shown. Analysed by simple linear regression and two-way ANOVA. (c) Day 28 follow up day-time and (d) night-time cough score. Mean and 95% CI shown. Analysed by Mann–Whitney. Measurement of (e) plasma cortisol (f) and cortisone on days 1,4 and 7. Mean and s.e.m shown. Analysed by two-way ANOVA. g Supplemental oxygen free days, and (h) days to supplemental oxygen freedom. Median and 95% CI shown. Analysed by Mann–Whitney. i Days to patient discharge. Median and 95% CI shown. Analysed by Mann–Whitney. For all, patient number (n) included in analysis is shown below the plot, p < 0.05 indicated within the figure. Dex: squares, orange; SpiroDex: circles, blue