The Effect of Methylprednisolone on the Clinical and Laboratory Manifestations of a New Coronavirus Disease - 2019 Complicated by Severe Pneumonia

Abstract

The article presents current data on the use of methylprednisolone in patients with COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019) and severe pneumonia. The author presents his own observation of patients with COVID-19 complicated by severe pneumonia, where different modes of “pulse therapy” with methylprednisolone were used. It was shown that therapy with high doses of methylprednisolone had a positive effect on the course of COVID-19 complicated by severe pneumonia. On the background of therapy with methylprednisolone in the form of a pulse, the levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein in the blood and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate significantly decreased. During treatment with methylprednisolone, the blood pressure level remained stable, the thermometry and the degree of blood oxygen saturation normalized. During the observation of patients with COVID-19 complicated by severe pneumonia who received methylprednisolone in the form of “pulse therapy”, no undesirable effects were noted. Hyperglycemia was transient and did not require hypoglycemic therapy.