April 22, 2020

Glucocorticoids for COVID-19 effectiveness and safety of glucocorticoids to treat COVID-19: A rapid review and meta-analysis

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• This meta-analyses of 22 studies evaluated the effectiveness and safety of glucocorticoids in children and adults with COVID-19, SARS and MERS. Lu et al report that, in adults with COVID-19 or SARS, systemic glucocorticoid use did not reduce mortality, duration of lung inflammation but had a significant reduction in the duration of fever. They warn against the use of systemic glucocorticoid therapy for its ability to prolong the duration of hospital stay in all patients (COVID-19, SARS and MERS) and increased risk of adverse reactions.

Lu et al. (Apr 22, 2020). Glucocorticoids for COVID-19 effectiveness and safety of glucocorticoids to treat COVID-19: A rapid review and meta-analysis. Pre-print downloaded Apr 22 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.17.20064469