Cheap steroid could save lives from hospital lung infections
NCT ID NCT05354778
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether the steroid hydrocortisone, added to usual care, can help ICU patients with severe hospital-acquired pneumonia. Researchers will compare hydrocortisone against a placebo in 180 adults. The goal is to see if the drug reduces early death or worsening of breathing and heart function.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Hydrocortisone (a corticosteroid)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a cheap, widely available treatment to reduce deaths from hospital-acquired pneumonia in intensive care.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with only 180 patients, so results may not apply to everyone. Corticosteroids also carry risks like infection or blood sugar problems.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Hospital do Servidor Publico Estadual
São Paulo, Sao Paulo SP, 04039-901, Brazil
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