Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is often complicated by elevation of cardiac troponin, a marker of myocardial injury, that can be isolated or associated to myocardial infarction (MI). A retrospective study showed that corticosteroid treatment lowers incidence of MI during the hospital-stay.

The aim of this clinical trial is to examine whether in-hospital treatment with iv methylprednisolone (20 mg b.i.d) may reduce myocardial injury, as assessed by serum high-sensitivity cardiac T Troponin) and eventually cardiovascular events during a short- and long-term follow-up in patients hospitalized CAP.

Background. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is often complicated by elevation of cardiac troponin, a marker of myocardial injury, that can be isolated or associated to myocardial infarction (MI). A retrospective study showed that corticosteroid treatment lowers incidence of MI during the hospital-stay. No data exist so far on the effect of corticosteroids on myocardial injury in CAP patients.

Study design. Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. One hundred twenty-two eligible patients will be randomized to a week treatment with iv methylprednisolone (20 mg b.i.d) or placebo from hospital admission. Serum hs-cTnT will be measured at admission and every day until up 3 days from admission. ECG will be monitored every day until discharge. After dismission, all patients will be followed-up 2 years.

Aims of the study. Primary objective of the study is to evaluate if methylprednisolone is able to reduce myocardial injury, as assessed by serum high-sensitivity cardiac T Troponin (hs-cTnT), in a cohort of patients hospitalized for CAP.

Secondary aims are to evaluate the potential effect of methylprednisolone on cardiovascular events during hospitalization, at 30 day from hospital admission and during 2 years' follow-up. The trial will also examine whether the potential protective effects of methylprednisolone might be due to platelet activation down-regulation.

Inclusion Criteria:

Hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Use of corticosteroids in the previous 30 days
2. Health Care-Associated Pneumonia
3. Reported severe immunosuppression (human immunodeficiency virus infection, immunosuppressive conditions or medications)
4. Preexisting medical condition with a life expectancy of less than 3 months
5. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
6. Gastritis with or without major gastrointestinal bleeding within 3 months
7. Any condition requiring acute treatment with glucocorticoids

Doctors, staff and any primary care provider/s involved in the participant's non-trial management will be blinded to the group allocations. Individual participants will be not told their group allocation until the end of their involvement in the trial and after the completion of the trial