May 12, 2020

Use of Corticosteroids in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• A systematic literature review identified four studies of corticosteroid use in patients with COVID-19 reported through March 15, 2020. The effect of corticosteroids on clinical outcomes for COVID-19 was mixed, with corticosteroids having a detrimental impact in two out of four studies. One study found that methylprednisolone could lower the mortality rate by 62% among patients with severe COVID-19. 

Veronese et al. (Apr 24, 2020). Use of Corticosteroids in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Frontiers in Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00170