Table 2 Characteristics of included randomized controlled trials.

From: Adjunctive Systemic Corticosteroids for Hospitalized Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 2015 Update

Study

Origin of report

blinding

facility

Age criteria

Severity criteria

Steroid regimen

Antibiotics

Number of patients Steroid + Non-steroid = Total

Average age

Men%

McHardy 19727

Australia

Not-blinded

Single

12-

not at risk of dying within 24 hour

PSL 20 mg/day for 7 d

Ampicillin 1 or 2 g/day

40 + 86 = 126

61

48%

Marik 19938

USA South Africa

Single-blinded

Multi

18–70

ICU, BTS criteria severe

HC 10 mg/kg bolus

Cefotaxime based regimen

14 + 16 = 30

36

NS

Confalonieri 20059

Italy

Double-blinded

Multi

not specified

ICU, ATS criteria severe

HC 200 mg bolus + 240 mg/day for 7 d

Based on guidelines

23 + 23 = 46

64

70%

Mikami 200710

Japan

Not-blinded

Single

adult

Moderate to severe. Not ventilated at admission

PSL 40 mg/day for 3 d

Ampicillin/Sulbactam and Carbapenem were preferred

15 + 16 = 31

72

74%

Snijders 201011

Netherlands

Double-blinded

Single

18-

NS

PSL 40 mg/day for 7 d

Amoxicillin and Moxifloxacin were preferred

104 + 109 = 213

64

58%

Fernández-Serrano201112

Spain

Double-blinded

Single

18–75

P/F ratio < 300, Not ventilated at admission

mPSL 200 mg bolus + 80 mg/day for 3 days + 40 mg/day for 3 days + 20 mg/ady for 3 days.

Ceftriaxone + Levofloxacin

22 + 23 = 45

64

67%

Meijvis 201113

Netherlands

Double-blinded

Multi

18-

Non-ICU

DEX 5 mg/day for 4 d

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate and Cephalosporin were preferred.

151 + 153 = 304

64

56%

Sabry 201114

Egypt

Double-blinded

Multi

adult

ICU Ventilated

HC 200 mg bolus + 300 mg/day for 7 d

NS

40 + 40 = 80

62

73%

Blum 201515

Swizerland

Double-blinded

Multi

18-

NS

PSL 50 mg/day for 7 d

Based on guidelines

392 + 393 = 785

73

62%

Torres 201516

Spain

Double-blinded

Multi

18-

“ATS criteria severe” or “Pneumonia severity index = V and CRP > 150 mg/L”

mPSL 1 mg/kg/day for 5 d

Ceftriaxon + Levofloxacin or + Azithromycin were preferred

61 + 59 = 120

65

62%

  1. [ ]: reference number.
  2. ICU: intensive care unit. BTS: Brithsh Thoracic Society. ATS: American Thoracic Society. PORT
  3. PSL: prednisolone. mPSL: methylprednisolone. DEX: dexamethasone. HC: hydrocortisone
  4. d: day.
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