Effectiveness of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Patients with COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus was first identified in December 2019. Covid-19 causes illness that is unlike other respiratory infections. Covid-19 pandemic has come as a surprise. It is the most significant pandemic of the 21st century. In fact, only the Spanish flu pandemic almost a century ago can be compared with it. Moreover, it is worth understanding that this pandemic has cost more than 5 million lives till now, despite such progress in medicine during the last century or so. Numbers or mortality are only going to increase as the pandemic is showing no sign to decline. There is no doubt that corticosteroid therapy may significantly reduce covid-19 associated mortality. However, the timings of initiation of such therapy are critical. Therapy initiated too early or in less severe cases may do more harm than good. It appears most beneficial in those with a severe condition, like those requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Further, studies seem to show that this approach is also effective in severely ill pediatric patients. However, there are some limitations to present nderstanding, like inadequate data regarding the efficacy of corticosteroids in patients older than 80 years of age. Similarly, data is limited from the pediatric population. Guidelines remain unclear regarding the use of corticosteroids in the delayed multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children and adults.