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Ye X, Li Y, Luo F, Xu Z, Kasimu K, Wang J, Xu P, Tan C, Yi H, Luo Y. Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in the treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:157. [PMID: 39003393 PMCID: PMC11246314 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01405-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
In the realm of acute respiratory infections, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), poses a global public health challenge. The application of corticosteroids (CSs) in COVID-19 remains a contentious topic among researchers. Accordingly, our team performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to meticulously evaluate the safety and efficacy of CSs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. To explore efficacy of CSs in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, we meticulously screened RCTs across key databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as China's CNKI and Wanfang Data. We focused on assessing the 28 days mortality rates. We evaluated the data heterogeneity using the Chi-square test and I2 values, setting significance at 0.1 and 50%. Data from 21 RCTs involving 5721 participants were analyzed. The analysis did not demonstrate a significant association between CSs intervention and the 28 days mortality risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients (relative risk [RR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.84-1.03; P = 0.15). However, subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in 28 days mortality among patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (RR at 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76-0.95; P = 0.004). Specifically, short-term CS administration (≤ 3 days) was associated with a substantial improvement in clinical outcomes (RR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.09-0.63; P = 0.004), as was longer-term use (≥ 8 days) (RR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.77-0.99; P = 0.04). Additionally, in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, the administration of dexamethasone increased the number of 28 days ventilator-free days (Mean Difference = 1.92; 95% CI: 0.44-3.40; P = 0.01). Methylprednisolone also demonstrated significant benefits in improving clinical outcomes (RR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.09-0.63; P = 0.004). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that although there is no significant difference in 28 days mortality rates among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the use of CSs may be beneficial in improving clinical outcomes in moderate or severe COVID-19 patients. There was no significant increase in the occurrence of adverse events associated with the use of CSs. Our meta-analysis provides evidence that while CSs may not be suitable for all COVID-19 patients, they could be effective and safe in severely ill COVID-19 patients. Consequently, it is recommended to administer CSs for personalized treatments in COVID-19 cases to improve the clinical outcomes while minimizing adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrong Ye
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Ye Li
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Feng Luo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhibin Xu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kaidirina Kasimu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Peihang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunjiang Tan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hui Yi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yifeng Luo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Angermair S, Hardenberg JH, Rubarth K, Balzer F, Akbari N, Menk M, Spies C, Eckardt KU, Poddubnyy D, Siegmund B, Schneider T, Treskatsch S. In-hospital survival of critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with glucocorticoids: a multicenter real-world data study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12138. [PMID: 38802435 PMCID: PMC11130266 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62302-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major challenge to healthcare systems globally. Millions of people have been infected, and millions of deaths have been reported worldwide. Glucocorticoids have attracted worldwide attention for their potential efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19. Various glucocorticoids with different dosages and treatment durations have been studied in patients with different severities, with a suitable dosage and treatment duration not yet defined. This study aimed to investigate whether in-hospital survival differs between critically ill patients treated with low-dose glucocorticoids, high-dose glucocorticoids or no glucocorticoids. All critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the Charité Hospital-Universitätsmedizin Berlin between February 2020 and December 2021 with COVID-19 pneumonia receiving supplemental oxygen were eligible to participate in this multicenter real-world data study. Patients were retrospectively assigned to one of three groups: the high corticosteroid dose (HighC) group (receiving 6 mg parenteral dexamethasone or an equivalent corticosteroid dosage for ten days), the low corticosteroid dose (LowC) group (receiving less than 6 mg parenteral dexamethasone or an equivalent corticosteroid dosage for ten days), or the no corticosteroid (NoC) group. Overall survival and risk effects were compared among groups within the total observation period, as well as at 35 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Adjusted multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to compare the risk of death between the treatment groups. Out of 1561 critically ill COVID-19 patients, 1014 were included in the baseline analysis. In the survival study, 1009 patients were assigned to the NoC (n = 346), HighC (n = 552), or LowC group (n = 111). The baseline characteristics were balanced between groups, except for age, BMI, APACHE II score, SOFA and SAPS II. While the 35-day survival did not show any differences, a landmark analysis of the patients surviving beyond 35 days revealed differences between groups. The restricted mean survival time was 112 days in the LowC group [95% CI: 97 - 128], 133 days in the HighC group [95% CI: 124 - 141] and 144 days in the NoC group [95% CI: 121 - 167]. The multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that, regardless of age, sex, health status or invasive oxygenation, a low-dose treatment increased the hazard of death of critically ill COVID-19 patients by a factor of 2.09 ([95% CI: 0.99, 4.4], p = 0.05) and a high-dose corticosteroid treatment increased the risk by a factor of 1.07 ([95% CI: 0.53, 2.15], p = 0.85) compared to no treatment with glucocorticoids. The analysis reveals that corticosteroid treatment does not influence the survival of critically ill COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit within 35 days. Our evaluations further suggest that regardless of ventilation status, the decision-making process for administering corticosteroid therapy should account for the individual severity of the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Angermair
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jan-Hendrik Hardenberg
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Rubarth
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Balzer
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nilufar Akbari
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Menk
- Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Spies
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai-Uwe Eckardt
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denis Poddubnyy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Britta Siegmund
- Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Schneider
- Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sascha Treskatsch
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Kovacevic P, Malic J, Kovacevic T, Dragic S, Zlojutro B, Jandric M, Momcicevic D, Cancarevic-Djajic B, Skrbic R, Rizwan MZ. Comparative Efficacy of High-Dose Dexamethasone Versus Methylprednisolone in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Cureus 2024; 16:e55725. [PMID: 38586644 PMCID: PMC10998658 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This retrospective (matched paired) clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of dexamethasone vs. methylprednisolone at equipotent (high) doses in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS A total of 347 patients with moderate and severe COVID-19-associated ARDS were administered either a high (equipotent) dose of dexamethasone (32 mg) or methylprednisolone (180 mg) for a duration of up to 10 days. All participants received the standard of care for critically ill COVID-19 patients. RESULTS The primary outcomes included length of stay in the ICU, ICU mortality, and discharge from the hospital. Based on the obtained results, a tendency towards more favorable clinical outcomes concerning the length of stay in the ICU (in the group of patients treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), p<0.05), ICU mortality, and discharge from the hospital (in the group of patients who were intubated, p<0.05) in patients receiving the high dose of dexamethasone compared to those receiving methylprednisolone was observed. CONCLUSION It appears that severe cases of COVID-19, especially intubated ones, treated with high doses of dexamethasone have a more favorable clinical outcome than the use of equipotent doses of methylprednisolone. However, larger multicenter studies are needed to validate our observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedja Kovacevic
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Jovana Malic
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Tijana Kovacevic
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Sasa Dragic
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Biljana Zlojutro
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Milka Jandric
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Danica Momcicevic
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Branka Cancarevic-Djajic
- Critical Care Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - Ranko Skrbic
- Hospital-Based Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, BIH
| | - M Zeeshan Rizwan
- Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, USA
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Chernov AS, Rodionov MV, Kazakov VA, Ivanova KA, Meshcheryakov FA, Kudriaeva AA, Gabibov AG, Telegin GB, Belogurov AA. CCR5/CXCR3 antagonist TAK-779 prevents diffuse alveolar damage of the lung in the murine model of the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1351655. [PMID: 38449806 PMCID: PMC10915062 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1351655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), secondary to viral pneumonitis, is one of the main causes of high mortality in patients with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus disease 2019)-ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection- reached more than 0.7 billion registered cases. Methods: Recently, we elaborated a non-surgical and reproducible method of the unilateral total diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) of the left lung in ICR mice-a publicly available imitation of the ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2. Our data read that two C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) ligands, macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIPs) MIP-1α/CCL3 and MIP-1β/CCL4, are upregulated in this DAD model up to three orders of magnitude compared to the background level. Results: Here, we showed that a nonpeptide compound TAK-779, an antagonist of CCR5/CXCR3, readily prevents DAD in the lung with a single injection of 2.5 mg/kg. Histological analysis revealed reduced peribronchial and perivascular mononuclear infiltration in the lung and mononuclear infiltration of the wall and lumen of the alveoli in the TAK-779-treated animals. Administration of TAK-779 decreased the 3-5-fold level of serum cytokines and chemokines in animals with DAD, including CCR5 ligands MIP-1α/β, MCP-1, and CCL5. Computed tomography revealed rapid recovery of the density and volume of the affected lung in TAK-779-treated animals. Discussion: Our pre-clinical data suggest that TAK-779 is more effective than the administration of dexamethasone or the anti-IL6R therapeutic antibody tocilizumab, which brings novel therapeutic modality to TAK-779 and other CCR5 inhibitors for the treatment of virus-induced hyperinflammation syndromes, including COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr S. Chernov
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maksim V. Rodionov
- Medical Radiological Research Center (MRRC), A.F. Tsyb-Branch of the National Medical Radiological Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vitaly A. Kazakov
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Karina A. Ivanova
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Fedor A. Meshcheryakov
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A. Kudriaeva
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander G. Gabibov
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Life Sciences, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Georgii B. Telegin
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Belogurov
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Russian University of Medicine, Moscow, Russia
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Munch MW, Granholm A, Maláska J, Stašek J, Rodriguez PO, Pitre T, Wilson R, Savović J, Rochwerg B, Svobodnik A, Kratochvíl M, Taboada M, Jha V, Vijayaraghavan BKT, Myatra SN, Venkatesh B, Perner A, Møller MH. Dexamethasone doses in patients with COVID-19 and hypoxia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2024; 68:146-166. [PMID: 37881881 DOI: 10.1111/aas.14346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal dose of dexamethasone for severe/critical COVID-19 is uncertain. We compared higher versus standard doses of dexamethasone in adults with COVID-19 and hypoxia. METHODS We searched PubMed and trial registers until 23 June 2023 for randomised clinical trials comparing higher (>6 mg) versus standard doses (6 mg) of dexamethasone in adults with COVID-19 and hypoxia. The primary outcome was mortality at 1 month. Secondary outcomes were mortality closest to 90 days; days alive without life support; and the occurrence of serious adverse events/reactions (SAEs/SARs) closest to 1 month. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB2 tool, risk of random errors using trial sequential analysis, and certainty of evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS We included eight trials (2478 participants), of which four (1293 participants) had low risk of bias. Higher doses of dexamethasone probably resulted in little to no difference in mortality at 1 month (relative risk [RR] 0.97, 95% CI: 0.79-1.19), mortality closest to Day 90 (RR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.86-1.20), and SAEs/SARs (RR 1.00, 95% CI: 0.97-1.02). Higher doses of dexamethasone probably increased the number of days alive without invasive mechanical ventilation and circulatory support but had no effect on days alive without renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS Based on low to moderate certainty evidence, higher versus standard doses of dexamethasone probably result in little to no difference in mortality, SAEs/SARs, and days alive without renal replacement therapy, but probably increase the number of days alive without invasive mechanical ventilation and circulatory support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Warrer Munch
- Department of Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Collaboration for Research in Intensive Care (CRIC), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Granholm
- Department of Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Collaboration for Research in Intensive Care (CRIC), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Maláska
- Department of Paediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Simulation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- 2nd Department of Anaesthesiology University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Stašek
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pablo O Rodriguez
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Instituto Universitario CEMIC (Centro de Educación Médica e Investigación Clínica), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tyler Pitre
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca Wilson
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, England
| | - Jelena Savović
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, England
| | - Bram Rochwerg
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adam Svobodnik
- Department of Pharmacology/CZECRIN, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Kratochvíl
- Department of Paediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Manuel Taboada
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical University Hospital of Santiago, Sanitary Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago, Spain
| | - Vivekanand Jha
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
- School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
- Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | | | - Sheila Nainan Myatra
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Balasubramanian Venkatesh
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anders Perner
- Department of Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Collaboration for Research in Intensive Care (CRIC), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Hylander Møller
- Department of Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Collaboration for Research in Intensive Care (CRIC), Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kale-Pradhan PB, Pacitto R, Giuliano CA, Johnson LB. Evaluation of High-dose versus Standard-dose of Dexamethasone on Mortality among the Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients. Curr Drug Saf 2024; 19:350-355. [PMID: 37592771 DOI: 10.2174/1574886318666230817102043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anti-inflammatory agents like dexamethasone (DEX) are a mainstay of treatment for COVID-19. Despite randomized trials demonstrating that a 6 mg daily dose of DEX improved patient outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients receiving oxygen, clinicians often prescribe higher doses of corticosteroids without evidence to support this practice. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of ventilated COVID-19 patients who received standard dose (SD) versus high dose (HD) DEX. METHODS This was a multi-site, retrospective, observational study on ventilated COVID-19- positive patients who received DEX for at least three days between June 1, 2020, and January 31, 2022. The primary outcome of this study was the association between mortality and SD (<6 mg daily) versus HD (>10 mg daily) DEX in ventilated COVID-19 patients. Secondary outcomes included average blood glucose (BG), number of BG readings above 200, incidence of bacterial nosocomial infection, ventilator-free days, length of stay (LOS), and ICU LOS. RESULTS Of the 212 included patients, 53 (25%) received SD DEX, and 159 (75%) received HD DEX. There was no significant effect of DEX dose on mortality, number of BG readings >200, incidence of nosocomial infections, LOS, or ventilator-free days (p >0.05). After controlling for confounding factors, no difference in mortality persisted (OR 1.34 95% CI 0.62- 2.90). Average daily BG and ICU LOS were significantly greater in the HD group compared to the SD group (p = 0.003, p = 0.019, respectively). CONCLUSION There was no association between HD DEX and mortality among ventilated COVID- 19 patients compared to SD DEX. Moreover, HD DEX is associated with detrimental effects such as prolonged ICU LOS and higher average daily BG. This study supports the use of SD DEX in ventilated COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramodini B Kale-Pradhan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48236, USA
| | | | - Christopher A Giuliano
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48236, USA
| | - Leonard B Johnson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48236, USA
- College of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
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7
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He Q, Wang C, Wang Y, Chen G, Zhou Y, Wu Y, Zhong M. Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids use in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and network meta‑analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:896. [PMID: 38124031 PMCID: PMC10734118 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08874-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, some meta-analyses on COVID-19 have suggested that glucocorticoids use can reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients, utilization rate of invasive ventilation, and improve the prognosis of patients. However, optimal regimen and dosages of glucocorticoid remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this network meta-analysis is to analyze the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in treating COVID-19 at regimens. METHODS This meta-analysis retrieved randomized controlled trials from the earliest records to December 30, 2022, published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI Database and Wanfang Database, which compared glucocorticoids with placebos for their efficacy and safety in the treatment of COVID-19, Effects of different treatment regimens, types and dosages (high-dose methylprednisolone, very high-dose methylprednisolone, Pulse therapy methylprednisolone, medium-dose hydrocortisone, high-dose hydrocortisone, high-dose dexamethasone, very high-dose dexamethasone and placebo) on 28-day all-caused hospitalization mortality, hospitalization duration, mechanical ventilation requirement, ICU admission and safety outcome were compared. RESULTS In this network meta-analysis, a total of 10,544 patients from 19 randomized controlled trials were finally included, involving a total of 9 glucocorticoid treatment regimens of different types and dosages. According to the analysis results, the 28-day all-cause mortality rate was the lowest in the treatment with pulse therapy methylprednisolone (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02, 0.42), but the use of high-dose methylprednisolone (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.59, 1.22), very high-dose dexamethasone (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.67, 1.35), high-dose hydrocortisone (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.34, 1.22), medium-dose hydrocortisone (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.49, 1.31) showed no benefit in prolonging the 28-day survival of patient. Compared with placebo, the treatment with very high-dose methylprednisolone (MD = -3.09;95%CI: -4.10, -2.08) had the shortest length of hospital stay, while high-dose dexamethasone (MD = -1.55;95%CI: -3.13,0.03) and very high-dose dexamethasone (MD = -1.06;95%CI: -2.78,0.67) did not benefit patients in terms of length of stay. CONCLUSIONS Considering the available evidence, this network meta‑analysis suggests that the prognostic impact of glucocorticoids in patients with COVID-19 may depend on the regimens of glucocorticoids. It is suggested that pulse therapy methylprednisolone is associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality, very high-dose methylprednisolone had the shortest length of hospital stay in patients with COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022350407 (22/08/2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaolan He
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yingqin Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Guannan Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ming Zhong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Lung Inflammation and Injury, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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Mettananda C, Peiris C, Abeyrathna D, Gunasekara A, Egodage T, Dantanarayana C, Pathmeswaran A, Ranasinha C. Inhaled beclomethasone in the treatment of early COVID-19: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, hospital-based trial in Sri Lanka. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e075803. [PMID: 38101843 PMCID: PMC10729268 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study if early initiation of inhaled beclomethasone 1200 mcg in patients with asymptomatic, mild or moderate COVID-19 reduces disease progression to severe COVID-19. DESIGN Double-blinded, parallel-groups, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING A hospital-based study in Sri Lanka. PARTICIPANTS Adults with asymptomatic, mild or moderate COVID-19, presenting within the first 7 days of symptom onset or laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, admitted to a COVID-19 intermediate treatment centre in Sri Lanka between July and November 2021. INTERVENTIONS All participants received inhaled beclomethasone 600 mcg or placebo two times per day, for 10 days from onset of symptoms/COVID-19 test becoming positive if asymptomatic or until reaching primary endpoint, whichever is earlier. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE Progression of asymptomatic, mild or moderate COVID-19 to severe COVID-19. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The number of days with a temperature of 38°C or more and the time to self-reported clinical recovery. RESULTS A total of 385 participants were randomised to receive beclomethasone(n=193) or placebo(n=192) stratified by age (≤60 or >60 years) and sex. One participant from each arm withdrew from the study. All participants were included in final analysis. Primary outcome occurred in 24 participants in the beclomethasone group and 26 participants in the placebo group (RR 0.90 ; p=0.763). The median time for self-reported clinical recovery in all participants was 5 days (95% CI 3 to 7) in the beclomethasone group and 5 days (95% CI 3 to 8) in the placebo group (p=0.5). The median time for self-reported clinical recovery in patients with moderate COVID-19 was 5 days (95% CI 3 to 7) in the beclomethasone group and 6 days (95% CI 4 to 9) in the placebo group (p=0.05). There were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Early initiation of inhaled beclomethasone in patients with asymptomatic, mild or moderate COVID-19 did not reduce disease progression to severe COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry; SLCTR/2021/017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chamila Mettananda
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
- Clinical trials unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Chathura Peiris
- COVID-19 Intermediate Treatment Centre, Base Hospital, Kandana, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Aloka Gunasekara
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Thimira Egodage
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
- Clinical trials unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Channaka Dantanarayana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
- Clinical trials unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Channa Ranasinha
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
- Clinical trials unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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Snow TAC, Arulkumaran N, Singer M, Choi SH. Effect of dexamethasone dose on outcomes in acute COVID-19 disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Infect 2023; 87:490-497. [PMID: 37757919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The impact of different doses of dexamethasone on outcomes from acute COVID-19 pneumonia is unknown. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials comparing different doses of dexamethasone in adult patients with COVID-19. High dose dexamethasone treatment was defined as 12-24 mg daily, whereas low-dose treatment was 6-8 mg daily. Primary outcome was 28-day mortality. RESULTS Eight trials including 3469 patients were identified, with 1775 patients receiving high dose dexamethasone. There was no difference in mortality between patients receiving high dose or low-dose dexamethasone (22.0% vs. 20.2%; odds ratio 1.20 [95% confidence interval 0.86-1.67]; p = 0.29; I2 = 63%; TSA-adjusted CI [0.31-4.66]; very low QoE). Meta-regression did not demonstrate a dose-dependent effect of steroids on mortality. High dose dexamethasone was associated with an increased risk of hyperglycaemia (23.6% vs. 17.2%; 1.51 [1.19-1.92]; p = 0.0008; I2 = 0%; TSA-adjusted CI [0.90-2.54]; low QoE) but not secondary infections (14.3% vs. 15.0%; 0.87 [0.56-1.37]; p = 0.56; I2 = 72%; very low QoE). Risk of bias was low for seven of the eight studies. CONCLUSIONS The mortality of patients with acute COVID-19 receiving high-dose dexamethasone is similar to patients receiving low-dose dexamethasone, although high-dose dexamethasone is associated with an increased risk of hyperglycaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mervyn Singer
- Bloomsbury Institute for Intensive Care Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sang-Ho Choi
- Bloomsbury Institute for Intensive Care Medicine, University College London, London, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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10
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Inoue S, Kata Y, Suido Y, Nakashima K, Otsu Y, Takayasu H, Matsumoto Y, Kaneko T. Limited efficacy of low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia: A retrospective study. Respir Investig 2023; 61:760-767. [PMID: 37716284 DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Its symptoms range from mild to severe, with the latter often being life-threatening. This study aims to assess the effects of low-dose dexamethasone (DEX) in mild-to-severe COVID-19 pneumonia and examine the final clinical outcomes to identify the optimal therapeutic dose. METHODS Clinical data from 132 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia between January and October 2021 at Yamato Municipal Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the ratio of peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) to inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2), patients were categorized into the mild (>450, n = 65), moderate (315-450, n = 55), and severe (<315, n = 12) pneumonia groups. The event of interest was defined as the worsening of the patient's condition during treatment (need to increase FiO2 > 0.1). Patients were treated with low-dose DEX (6.6 mg/day) for 10 days. RESULTS The event-free survival rate decreased significantly in patients with severe pneumonia compared with in those with mild and moderate pneumonia (Bonferroni-adjusted p < 0.02). A total of 16 patients were treated with high-dose corticosteroids because of severe hypoxia. Recovery was observed in all discharged patients with respiratory condition improvement. Low SpO2/FiO2 at admission was significantly associated with serum C-reactive protein levels. CONCLUSIONS For Japanese patients with COVID-19, severe pneumonia, and SpO2/FiO2 of <315, it may be necessary to administer a dose of corticosteroids of >6.6 mg DEX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Inoue
- Yamato Municipal Hospital, Pulmonary Medicine, Japan.
| | - Yuki Kata
- Yamato Municipal Hospital, Pulmonary Medicine, Japan
| | | | | | - Yukiko Otsu
- Yamato Municipal Hospital, Pulmonary Medicine, Japan
| | | | | | - Takeshi Kaneko
- Department of Pulmonology, Yokohama City University, Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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11
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Kow CS, Ramachandram DS, Hasan SS. Intermediate- to high-dose dexamethasone versus low-dose dexamethasone in patients with COVID-19 requiring respiratory support: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Inflammopharmacology 2023; 31:2773-2779. [PMID: 37266814 PMCID: PMC10236382 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01251-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The present review critically appraised the randomized clinical trials that compared mortality outcomes between intermediate- to high-dose dexamethasone and low-dose dexamethasonein patients with COVID-19 and reported pooled mortality risk estimates associated with these two dosing regimens of dexamethasone. The systematic searching of electronic databases was limited to randomized clinical trials that compared mortality outcomes between intermediate- to high-dose dexamethasone with low-dose dexamethasone in patients with COVID-19 requiring respiratory support. The primary outcome of interest in this review was all-cause mortality. A total of eight trials with 1800 patients randomized to receive intermediate to high-dose dexamethasone and 1715 patients randomized to low-dose dexamethasone were included. The meta-analysis of six trials revealed no significant difference in the risk of 28-day all-cause mortality between intermediate- to high-dose dexamethasone and low-dose dexamethasone (odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.74). Similarly, the meta-analysis of five trials revealed no significant difference between the two doses regarding 60-day all-cause mortality (odds ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.74-1.26). The results suggest intermediate- to high-dose dexamethasone to be as effective as low-dose dexamethasone in reducing the risk of mortality among patients with COVID-19 requiring respiratory support. However, higher dexamethasone doses could expose patients with COVID-19 to an increased risk of adverse events, such as hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia Siang Kow
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | | | - Syed Shahzad Hasan
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
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Bahsoun A, Fakih Y, Zareef R, Bitar F, Arabi M. Corticosteroids in COVID-19: pros and cons. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1202504. [PMID: 37644981 PMCID: PMC10461317 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1202504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The wide and rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unanticipated burden on the global healthcare sector. This necessitated a swift response from the international community to reach a solution. Efforts were made in parallel to develop preventative and therapeutic modalities. Since then, drug repurposing has blossomed as a potentially rapid resolution and has included various agents with anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Corticosteroids, being potent anti-inflammatory agents, have been placed under extensive investigation. Various trials have recorded the beneficial outcome of corticosteroids in decreasing the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19. With the high pace of escalating events, the quality and study design of clinical trials are varied. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of corticosteroids in COVID-19 disease. It inspects the molecular, pharmacologic, and clinical proof behind this theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymen Bahsoun
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Yeva Fakih
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rana Zareef
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Pediatric Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fadi Bitar
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Pediatric Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Pediatric Department, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mariam Arabi
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Pediatric Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Pediatric Department, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Sidhu SM, Ahmad S, Sikander T, Chaudhry AR, Iftikhar I, Shaik TA. Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Versus High-Dose Dexamethasone in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2023; 15:e33884. [PMID: 36819444 PMCID: PMC9934008 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of low-dose and high-dose dexamethasone in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The current meta-analysis was conducted in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase. Outcomes assessed in the current meta-analysis included 28-day mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, length of ICU admission (days), and length of hospital stay (days). For safety, we compared hypoglycemia and the incidence of infection between the high-dose dexamethasone group and the low-dose dexamethasone group. A total of four studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of ICU admission (risk ratio (RR): 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41-1.28, p-value: 0.27), length of stay in ICU in days (mean difference (MD): -0.05, 95%CI: -3.96-3.87, p-value: 0.98, I-square: 94%), length of hospital stay in days (MD: -0.94, 95%CI: -1.94-0.06, p-value: 0.07), need of mechanical ventilation (RR: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.36-1.48, p-value: 0.38), and 28-day mortality (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.50-1.64, p-value: 0.74). The current study showed that higher doses of dexamethasone failed to enhance efficacy compared to low-dose dexamethasone. Thus, based on the findings of this meta-analysis, low-dose dexamethasone can be recommended for these patients.
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