Corticosteroid Therapy for Patients Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Systematic review (13 RCTs; n=2005) found that systemic corticosteroid therapy may reduce mortality by approximately 3%, need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 5%, and hospital stay by approximately one day in hospitalised adults with community-acquired pneumonia.

The possible reduction in mortality was observed primarily in a subgroup of patients with severe pneumonia.

 

Although the studies analysed generally excluded patients at high risk for adverse effects from corticosteroids, those receiving therapy had an increased risk for hyperglycaemia.

 

Based on the mortality findings, the author of a related editorial supports the use of adjunctive systemic corticosteroid therapy in patients hospitalised with severe community-acquired pneumonia, i.e. those requiring mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, or both.