Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Pooled result · High certaintyResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.69 95% CI 0.53–0.89Authors' conclusion
Corticosteroids reduce the risk of all-cause mortality, especially in younger patients receiving hydrocortisone, and probably decrease the need for MV, the incidence of shock, and the length of hospital and ICU stay in patients with CAP.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
- Participants
- 3,252 adults · 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Adjunctive corticosteroids vs no corticosteroids
- Outcome
- All-cause mortality
- Follow-up
- Within 30 days after randomization (or closest to 30 days)
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model
- Random-effects model
Pooled result
High certainty
Relative risk
0.69
95% CI 0.53–0.89
Corticosteroids vs Control
RR 0.69 (95% CI 0.53–0.89)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
All-cause mortality by subgroup (corticosteroid type, CAP severity, age) (subgroup)
- Significant reduction restricted to hydrocortisone therapy and severe CAP
- Greater mortality reduction in younger patients
Shock, need for mechanical ventilation (MV), hospital and ICU LOS
- Corticosteroids reduced incidence of shock and need for MV, and decreased hospital and ICU LOS
- Moderate certainty
Original publication
Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Crit Care. Published 21 December 2023. doi:10.
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