Randomized Clinical Trial: Oral Steroid Does Not Reduce Symptoms in Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Effect of Oral Prednisolone on Symptom Duration and Severity in Nonasthmatic Adults With Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentaries: Oral Steroid Does Not Reduce Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms in Nonasthmatic Adults – JAMA Network (free) AND No Benefit for Oral Steroids in Lower Respiratory Tract Infection – Medscape (free registration required) AND Don’t use steroids for chest infections, GPs advised – Pulse (free)

In patients with acute respiratory infection, without evidence of pneumonia or asthma, the addition of corticosteroids did not reduce symptom duration or severity.