Hydrocortisone Versus Placebo for Severe Hospital-acquired Pneumonia in Intensive Care Patients: the HYDRO-SHIP Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the use of hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, in patients who have severe hospital-acquired pneumonia requiring intensive care. This bacterial infection can be deadly, and while corticosteroids have been shown to reduce death rates in severe community pneumonia, there are no previous studies on their use in hospital-acquired pneumonia. This trial is the first multicenter randomized study to evaluate hydrocortisone alongside standard therapy for this condition. The study randomly assigns 180 intensive care patients with nosocomial pneumonia to receive either hydrocortisone or a placebo, both along with standard treatment. Participants receive an intravenous dose of 100mg hydrocortisone or normal saline every eight hours for up to five days, or until they leave the ICU or pass away. The trial is conducted in multiple ICUs across Brazil and compares outcomes between the two groups. Participants will be closely monitored for early clinical failure, survival rates, respiratory and cardiovascular worsening, need for mechanical ventilation or dialysis, length of hospital and ICU stays, and any adverse effects. Various assessments including radiological imaging and arterial blood gas analysis will be done over a 7 to 28-day period. This study aims to provide important insights into an affordable treatment option that may improve patient outcomes in intensive care settings.

HYDROcortisone Versus Placebo for Severe HospItal-acquired Pneumonia in Intensive Care Patients: the HYDRO-SHIP Study