February 8, 2021

Impact of Systemic Corticosteroids on Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 January 2021 Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): treatment

[Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] A meta-analysis of five peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (n = 7,645 patients) of systemic corticosteroid treatment for COVID-19 showed no overall difference in survival among hospitalized patients who received systemic corticosteroid therapy compared to usual care or placebo (OR =  0.82, 95% CI 0.64 – 1.05). Subgroup analysis of 1,967 critically ill patients in the trials showed improved survival in patients who received systemic corticosteroid therapy (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.51 – 0.87). The authors note that 3 RCTs were terminated early due to the preliminary results from the RECOVERY trial, which likely impacted the analysis. 

Robinson et al. (Feb 5, 2021). Impact of Systemic Corticosteroids on Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 January 2021 Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pre-print downloaded Feb 8 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.03.21251065