Pneumonia Treatment: Steroid Increases Survival Rate of Severe Cases

Corticosteroid is known to have suppressing effects against inflammation. Based on a new study, this kind of steroid has shown significant treatment capability for treating one of the most serious respiratory disorders in the world.

Medical Daily reports that based on the findings of a research team led by Dr. Reed Siemieniuk of the McMaster University, corticosteroid therapy has been able to reduce the mortality risk to three percent among adults suffering from community-acquired pneumonia or CAP. It is also discovered to reduce mechanical ventilation need to five percent and hospitalization to just one day. The research team has used the evidence found from 13 clinical trials data with 2000 subjects.

These individuals are less than likely to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, a disorder affecting the lungs by filling it up with fluid and resulting to fatality or permanent disability. Dr. Siemieniuk said the study could eventually pave way to better treatment possibilities for pneumonia and as corticosteroids are cheap and easily available, it can benefit many people in the future.

Lower respiratory infections cause most of premature deaths globally. In developed countries, CAP is often the reason why people get hospitalized, according to Science Daily. Dr. Gordon Guyatt explained that as corticosteroids are safe when used for a short period of time, it is more than likely that it can be used to reduce cases of deaths caused by CAP. What more based on the overall conclusion of the study, steroid treatment is able to reduce mortality rates from nine percent to five or six percent.

But, Philly writes that Dr. Bruce Polsky, the chairperson of the department of medicine at the Winthrop-University Hospital in New York, has argued that more research should be conducted first. He suggested the use of a large and random multi-center clinical trial to confirm the findings and change the usual standard of care for medical experts.

Dr. Polsky also explained that most cases of CAP do not require the use of powerful steroids. Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist from Lenox Hill Hospital, somehow agreed to Dr. Polsky's sentiments. He noted that it is the potency of the corticosteroids that can actually target the inflammation caused by CAP. However, it is always best to use extreme caution when dealing with steroids use in patients suffering from diabetes or hypertension.

The study is published online in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine last Aug. 10.