Biomarker-guided use of corticosteroids in pneumonia - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #Biomarkers
- #Pneumonia
- #Corticosteroids
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of death worldwide.
- Corticosteroids have been proposed as immunomodulatory but their use is controversial due to mixed clinical trial results.
- High C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission indicate a hyperinflammatory state and may predict benefit from corticosteroids.
- Clinical trials using CRP >200 mg/L as an inclusion criterion showed reduced treatment failure with corticosteroids.
- Recent guidelines recommend corticosteroids for severe CAP or septic shock.
- Hyperinflammatory subphenotypes may benefit more from corticosteroids, but prospective studies are lacking.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of biomarkers in personalized CAP treatment.
- Current interim recommendation: corticosteroids for severe CAP or high CRP levels.