Could a cheap steroid save lives in severe pneumonia?
NCT ID NCT02517489
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether low-dose hydrocortisone, a common steroid, can help people with severe community-acquired pneumonia survive. Over 950 critically ill adults in intensive care received either the steroid or a placebo, alongside standard antibiotics and support. The goal was to see if the drug reduces deaths within 28 days.
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 drug)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could confirm that adding low-dose corticosteroids to standard care improves survival for people with severe pneumonia.
What could go wrong
This is a single phase 3 trial; results may not apply to all patients. Corticosteroids can have side effects like increased infection risk or blood sugar issues.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Service de Réanimation
Aulnay-sous-Bois, 93602, France
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Service de Réanimation
Belfort, 90015, France
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Service de Réanimation
Bourg-en-Bresse, France
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Service de Réanimation
Saint-Brieuc, 22000, France
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Service de Réanimation - Unité de Soins Continus, CH d'Angoulême
Angoulême, 16959, France
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Service de Réanimation HIA Clermont-Tonnerre
Brest, 29240, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale Polyvalente, Hôpital G Montpied
Clermont-Ferrand, 63003, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale et Médecine Interne, CHU de Poitiers
Poitiers, 86021, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, CHR d'Orléans
Orléans, 45067, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, CHU de Brest
Brest, 29609, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, CHU de Dijon
Dijon, 21079, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, CHU de Grenoble
Grenoble, 38043, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, CHU de Nancy
Nancy, 54511, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Cochin, APHP
Paris, 75014, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Louis Pasteur, Chartres
Chartres, 28000, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Nord
Marseille, 13015, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital de Hautepierre, CHU de Strasbourg
Strasbourg, 67098, France
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Service de Réanimation Médicale, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, CHU de Strasbourg
Strasbourg, 67091, France
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Service de Réanimation Médico-Chirurgicale, Hôpital Raymond Poincarré, APHP
Garches, 92380, France
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Service de Réanimation Polyvalente - Surveillance Continue, CH de Montauban
Montauban, 82013, France
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Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, CH d'Argenteuil
Argenteuil, 95107, France
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Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, CH de Saint Malo
St-Malo, 35403, France
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Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, CHD La Roche sur Yon
La Roche-sur-Yon, 85925, France
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Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, CHU de Limoges
Limoges, 87042, France
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Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, CHU de Nantes
Nantes, 44093, France
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Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, Hôpital Salengro, CHU de Lille
Lille, 59037, France
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Service de Réanimation et USC médico-chirurgicale, Hôpital Tenon, APHP
Paris, 75020, France
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Service de Réanimation, CH Le Mans
Le Mans, 72037, France
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Service de Réanimation, CHR Metz-Thionville
Ars-Laquenexy, 57530, France
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Service de Réanimation, CHU Côte de Nacre
Caen, 14033, France
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Service de Réanimation, Hôpital Louis Mourier
Colombes, 92700, France
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Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Réanimation Médicale, CHU de Rennes
Rennes, 35033, France