Use of Corticosteroids in Sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Publication Date: January 18, 2024
Last Updated: January 24, 2024

Summary of Recommendations

Sepsis and Septic Shock

We suggest administering corticosteroids to adult patients with septic shock. (C, L )
620
We recommend against administration of high dose/short duration corticosteroids (> 400 mg/d hydrocortisone equivalent for less than 3 d) for adult patients with septic shock. (S, M )
620

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

We suggest administering corticosteroids to adult hospitalized patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. (C, M )
620

Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

We recommend administering corticosteroids to adult patients hospitalized with severe bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. (S, M )
620
We make no recommendation for administering corticosteroids for adult patients hospitalized with less severe bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. (U, U)
620

Recommendation Grading

Disclaimer

The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Overview

Title

Use of Corticosteroids in Sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Authoring Organization

Society of Critical Care Medicine

Publication Month/Year

January 18, 2024

Last Updated Month/Year

April 1, 2024

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

To develop evidence-based recommendations for use of corticosteroids in hospitalized adults and children with sepsis, ARDS, and CAP.

Target Patient Population

Hospitalized adults and children with sepsis, ARDS, and CAP

Target Provider Population

Critical care, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, internists and other providers

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Infant, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Emergency care, Hospital

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Treatment, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D012128 - Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult, D011014 - Pneumonia, D018805 - Sepsis, D003345 - Corticosterone

Keywords

community-acquired pneumonia, corticosteroids, acute respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS, CAP, sepsis

Source Citation

Chaudhuri, Dipayan MD, MSc, FRCPC1,2; Nei, Andrea M. PharmD, FCCM3; Rochwerg, Bram MD, MSc, FRCPC, FCCM1,2; Balk, Robert A MD, MCCM4; Asehnoune, Karim MD5; Cadena, Rhonda MD, FNCS, FCCM6; Carcillo, Joseph A. MD7; Correa, Ricardo MD8; Drover, Katherine BHSc9; Esper, Annette M. MD, MSc10; Gershengorn, Hayley B. MD, ATSF, FCCM11,12; Hammond, Naomi E. RN, BN, MN, MPH PhD13,14; Jayaprakash, Namita MB, MD, BcH, BAO15,16; Menon, Kusum MD, MSc17,18; Nazer, Lama PharmD, FCCM19; Pitre, Tyler MD1,2; Qasim, Zaffer A. MD20; Russell, James A. MD21; Santos, Ariel P. MD, MPH, FCCM22; Sarwal, Aarti MD, FCCM, FAAN, FNCS RPNI23; Spencer-Segal, Joanna MD, PhD24; Tilouche, Nejla MD25; Annane, Djillali MD, PhD (Chair)26,27,28; Pastores, Stephen M. MD, MACP, FCCP, FCCM (Chair)29. 2024 Focused Update: Guidelines on Use of Corticosteroids in Sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Critical Care Medicine ():10.1097/CCM.0000000000006172, January 19, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006172 

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement