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Corticosteroids in Lung and Pleural Infections

Current Pulmonology Reports volume 7, pages 19–27 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Despite modern healthcare practices and antimicrobial agents, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and associated parapneumonic effusion (PPE) are still common, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and responsible for significant healthcare system costs globally. There is a need for adjunctive therapies to improve their clinical outcomes. The use of corticosteroids as an adjunctive therapy to suppress the inflammatory response in CAP has received significant attention.

Recent Findings

In this paper, we review in detail the randomized clinical trials to date on the use of corticosteroids in CAP.

Summary

Despite the large number of studies and optimism, the current evidence is inconclusive to warrant recommendation of the routine use of corticosteroids in CAP. The use of corticosteroid in PPE is also attracting interests which largely arose from indirect evidence. Direct placebo-controlled trials are required.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Dr. Shirin Shafazand, Editor in Chief, who helped with the review of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Arash Badiei

  2. Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha tin, Hong Kong

    Ka Pang Chan

  3. Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, Hong Kong

    Ka Pang Chan

  4. Institute for Respiratory Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia

    Y. C. Gary Lee

  5. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia

    Y. C. Gary Lee

  6. School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia

    Y. C. Gary Lee & Grant W. Waterer

  7. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

    Grant W. Waterer

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Correspondence to Y. C. Gary Lee.

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Ka Pang Chan, Yun Chor Lee, Arash Badiei, and Grant Waterer declare no conflict of interest. Dr. Lee is the section editor of the Pleural Diseases and Mesothelioma section.

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Badiei, A., Chan, K.P., Lee, Y.C.G. et al. Corticosteroids in Lung and Pleural Infections. Curr Pulmonol Rep 7, 19–27 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-018-0197-0

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Keywords

  • Pneumonia
  • Pleural effusion
  • Empyema
  • Steroid