Objective         To systematically review the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids combined with conventional high pressure oxygen for delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP).        Methods       Databases including PubMed

EMbase

Web of Science

the Cochrane Library

CBM

CNKI

VIP and WanFang Data were searched to retireve the relevant references from the start to September 30 2015. Sensitivity analysis (RevMan 5.3) and Stata 14.0 were employed for meta-analysis.        Results       A total of 12 random controlled trials were included for final meta-analysis

involving 1 415 participants. Meta-analysis showed that the test group of corticosteroids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy had better outcomes in reducing the incidence DEACMP (RR=0.23

95%CI: 0.14~0.38

P0.001)

improving the cure rate (RR=1.52

95%CI: 1.17~1.98

P=0.002)

improving the overall efficiency (RR=1.36

95%CI: 1.22~1.51

P0.001)

and reducing the inefficiency (RR=0.24

95%CI: 0.15~0.40

P0.001) when compared with the control group receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy. But there was no significant difference in the mortality between the 2 groups (P=0.38). The glucocorticoids group had a few adverse reactions (1.6%).        Conclusion       Although there are a small number of adverse reactions

the efficacy of corticosteroids combined with hyperbaric oxygen is superior to conventional high-pressure oxygen therapy in the prevention and treatment of DEACMP.