Abstract
The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of glucocorticoid therapy in patients with COVID-19. A systematic search of the literature across nine databases was conducted from inception until 15th March 2020, following the PRISMA guidelines. Patients with a validated diagnosis of COVID-19 and using corticosteroids were included, considering all health outcomes. Four studies with 542 Chinese participants were included. Two studies reported negative findings regarding the use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19, i.e., corticosteroids had a detrimental impact on clinical outcomes. One study reported no significant association between the use of corticosteroids and clinical outcomes. However, one study, on 201 participants with different stages of pneumonia due to COVID-19, found that in more severe forms, the administration of methylprednisolone significantly reduced the risk of death by 62%. The literature to date does not fully support the routine use of corticosteroids in COVID-19, but some findings suggest that methylprednisolone could lower mortality rate in more severe forms of the condition.
Highlights
In this systematic review including 542 Chinese patients, we have for the first time summarized the ultimate available literature regarding the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of a recent viral condition that is spreading on a global scale
Two studies reported negative findings regarding these medications, one reported no significant association between corticosteroids and clinical outcomes, and one concluded that methylprednisolone was associated with a significant reduction of mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia developing ARDS
Since COVID-19 was first reported in December 2019, it has attracted global attention owing to its similarity to SARSCoV and MERS-CoV in causing fatal respiratory disease, and its potential for causing large-scale human infection and economic disruption
Summary
In humans the viruses may infect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and central nervous systems [1]. Infection with four of the most common coronaviruses strains (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1) usually lead to mild, self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections [2]. Corticosteroids in COVID-19 Pneumonia coronaviruses, are associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. COVID19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a variant of coronavirus. Symptoms of infection are usually nonspecific, and include fever, cough, and myalgia, with diarrhea, with or without the subsequent development of dyspnea [4]. Severe cases that include respiratory distress, sepsis, and septic shock have been increasingly reported [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
