Preadmission Corticosteroid Therapy and the Risk of Respiratory Failure in Adults Without HIV Presenting With Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Background: Corticosteroid therapy is a well-recognized risk factor for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP); however, it has also been proposed as an adjunct to decrease inflammation and respiratory failure.

Objective: To determine the association between preadmission corticosteroid use and risk of moderate-to-severe respiratory failure at the time of PCP presentation.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated HIV-negative immunosuppressed adults diagnosed with PCP at Mayo Clinic from 2006 to 2016. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the association between preadmission corticosteroid exposure and moderate-to-severe respiratory failure at presentation.

Results: Of the 323 patients included, 174 (54%) used preadmission corticosteroids with a median daily dosage of 20 (interquartile range: 10-40) mg of prednisone or equivalent. After adjustment for baseline demographics, preadmission corticosteroid therapy did not decrease respiratory failure at the time of PCP presentation (odds ratio: 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.73-2.09, P = .38). Additionally, after adjusting for inpatient corticosteroid administration, preadmission corticosteroid use did not impact the need for intensive care unit admission (P = .98), mechanical ventilation (P = .92), or 30-day mortality (P = .11).

Conclusions: Corticosteroid exposure before PCP presentation in immunosuppressed HIV-negative adults was not associated with a reduced risk of moderate-to-severe respiratory failure.