Aetiology and prognostic risk factors of mortality in pneumonia patients receiving glucocorticoids alone or glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressants: a retrospective cohort study

Objectives: Long-term use of high-dose glucocorticoids can lead to severe immunosuppression and increased risk of treatment-resistant pneumonia and mortality. We investigated the aetiology and prognostic risk factors of mortality in hospitalised patients who developed pneumonia while receiving glucocorticoid therapy alone or glucocorticoid and other immunosuppressant therapies.

Design: Retrospective cohort study

Setting: Six secondary and tertiary academic hospitals in China

Participants: Patients receiving glucocorticoids who were hospitalised with pneumonia between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2019.

Main Outcomes: We analysed the prevalence of comorbidities, microbiology, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, 30-day and 90-day mortality rates, and prognostic risk factors.

Results: A total of 716 patients were included, with pneumonia pathogens identified in 69.8% of patients. Significant morbidities occurred, including respiratory failure (50.8%), intensive care uni...