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Semin Respir Crit Care Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2704-6851
Review Article

Glucocorticoid Treatment in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Authors

  • Pierre-François Dequin

    1   Inserm UMR 1100 Centre d'Etudes des Pathologies Respiratoires, Université de Tours, Tours, France
    2   Service de Médecine Intensive, Réanimation et Centre d'Investigation Clinique INSERM CIC 1415, Hôpital Bretonneau, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
    3   CRICS-TriGGERSep F-CRIN Network

  • Marco Confalonieri

    4   Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
    5   Pulmonology Unit, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy

Funding Information P.-F.D. reports funding for academic research projects from the French Ministry of Health and the companies Aerogen and Fisher and Paykel. He has received consulting fees from Aridis Pharmaceutical and conference attendance fees from AOP Health.
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Abstract

Despite a fairly large number of comparative trials (which are, however, very heterogeneous), the role of corticosteroids in the adjuvant treatment of community-acquired pneumonia remains controversial. Nevertheless, recent randomized trials with adequate power in intensive care unit patients, albeit with conflicting results, have contributed to clarifying our understanding of this issue. More accurate phenotyping of patients likely to benefit from corticosteroid treatment must now be performed. In COVID-19 pneumonia, their benefit is not in question. For certain specific pathogens, including viral pathogens, their indications must be refined. They are still not recommended for influenza. They appear generally safe for short-term use in select populations.

Keywords

corticosteroids - glucocorticoids - community-acquired pneumonia - COVID-19


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 08. Juli 2025

Angenommen: 17. September 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
18. September 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
14. Oktober 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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