Fig. 3

The concentration of sCysC in different groups. Grouping of standards was according to cumulative doses of glucocorticoids within 5 days before admission to ICU: Group I: non-users; Group II: 0 mg < prednisone ≤50 mg; Group III: 50 mg < prednisone ≤150 mg; Group IV: prednisone > 150 mg; a Before matching: a: group I vs. group II P <  0.05, vs. group III P <  0.05, and vs. group IV P <  0.05; b: group II vs. group I P < 0.05, vs. group III P > 0.05, and vs. group IV P > 0.05; c: group III vs. group I P < 0.05, vs. group II P > 0.05, and vs. group IV P > 0.05; d: group IV vs. group I P < 0.05, vs. group II P > 0.05, and vs. group III P > 0.05. b After matching: e: group I vs. group II P > 0.05, vs. group III P < 0.05, and vs. group IV P < 0.05; f: group II vs. group I P > 0.05, vs. group III P > 0.05, and vs. group IV P > 0.05; g: group III vs. group I P < 0.05, vs. group II P > 0.05, and vs. group IV P > 0.05; h: group IV vs. group I P < 0.05, vs. group II P > 0.05, and vs. group III P > 0.05