- The use of corticosteroids in the management of pneumonia is still a controversial issue
- The evidence from trials taken separately is weak
- a Cochrane review and a systematic review found benefit using prolonged low doses of glucocorticoids in severe community-acquired pneumonia
Indication
- Based on limited data, indicated for pneumonia when a cortical insufficiency is diagnosed, or when Acute Lung Injury (ALI)/ARDS, severe sepsis, and/or severe pneumonia criteria are detectable
- In some studies, benefits of CS are ONLY seen in more severe pneumonia
Dose
- Benefit seen in prolonged courses of low dose corticosteroids (stress dose)
- The use of short-time high doses of corticosteroids should be discouraged in ICU patients because it is harmful
- Example: IV Hydrocortisone 200mg/day
- Example: Dexamethasone 5mg for 4 days
Duration
- Most of the trials adopted stress doses of glucorticoids for 4-7 days.
- A prolonged course, of at least 7-10 days
- Initiated within 12hours of onset of shock
Monitoring
- If corticosteroids are administered, infection surveillance, avoidance of neuromuscular blockers, and gradual taper of corticosteroids are recommended
- To use or not to use corticosteroids for pneumonia? A Clinician's Perspective
- Association between systemic corticosteroids and outcomes of intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22732293
- Adjuvant role of corticosteroids in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0422763813000356
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