Relationship between the use of inhaled steroids and early outcomes in community-acquired pneumonia

Introduction: The role of inhaled steroids (ICS) in patients with chronic respiratory diseases is a matter of debate due to the potential effect on the development and prognosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We assessed whether treatment with ICS in patients with CAP may affect course and early outcome of CAP. Methods: A prospective observation study including 621 patients with CAP admitted in two departments of our hospital was conducted. Use of ICS were registered and patients were followed up to 30 days after diagnosis to assess severity of CAP and clinical course. Results: Of the 621 patients 158 (25%) were using ICS. Patients using ICS were older (p<0,001), more often smokers (p=0,001), with chronic lung diseases (p<0,001) as the main comorbidity. At admission ICS users presented with more taxypnoea (p 3 classes (p Conclusions: Treatment with ICS although associated with severity of CAP, has no impact on course and mortality.