Pneumonia respiratory tract infection
Conditions
Interventions
Patients presenting with a community-acquired pneumonia, eligible for inclusion
in the study, are treated with one bolus of dexamethasone 6 mg (1 tablet of 6
mg) on the emergency department and dexa
Sponsors
Sint Antonius Ziekenhuis
Eligibility
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Patients aged 18 to 100 years with a community-acquired pneumonia which requires admission. Criteria to determine a community-acquired pneumonia: - Chest radiograph showing new opacities. In combination with two of the following findings: 0 Cough 0 Production of sputum 0 Temp >38,0 °C or 10.000 cells/mm3), leftward shift (>10%) or leucopenia (15 mg/l (three fold higher than the upper limit of normal)
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: - Immunocompromised patients: 0 Patients with a known congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. 0 Patients who received chemotherapy less than 6 weeks ago. 0 Patients who received corticosteroids in the last 6 weeks. 0 Patients who received immunosuppressive medication in the last 6 weeks (e.g. cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine). 0 Patients with COPD who are on systemic corticosteroids for COPD. - Patients who require ICU treatment. - Patients with tropical worm infection. - Patients with dexamethasone intolerance. - Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Length of hospital stay. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| - 30-day mortality; - Admission to ICU after initial admission on the ward. | — |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed