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Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Corticosteroids might improve outcomes by reducing pulmonary and systemic inflammation. At least one study has suggested a benefit. To explore the issue, researchers in the Netherlands randomized patients hospitalized for CAP to receive prednisolone (40 mg daily) or placebo for 7 days, in addition to antibiotics — generally amoxicillin or moxifloxacin. Clinical outcome was assessed at 7 and 30 days.
A total of 213 patients were included in the intent-to-treat analysis. Clinical cure rates were similar between the prednisolone and placebo groups at both 7 days (81% and 85%; P=0.38) and 30 days (66% and 77%; P=0.08). Length of hospital stay and time to …