Do steroids decrease mortality in patients with severe community acquired pneumonia?
Community acquired pneumonia is the leading cause of death from infection, approaching 10% mortality. In those patients who are mechanically ventilated, mortality may be as high as 30%. Glucocorticoids have been associated with positive effects in community acquired pneumonia, however they have not been shown to change mortality.
Dequin PF et al (1) conducted the Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Evaluation of Corticosteroids (CAPE COD) Trial.
