No Difference in Mortality with High- vs. Low-Dose Steroids for COVID-19

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome had similar outcomes regardless of dose of steroids and form of noninvasive respiratory support.

Debate remains about how to treat critically ill patients with COVID-19. Low-dose corticosteroids have become standard of care for patients with COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); however, prior to the pandemic, a trial suggested benefit for higher-dose steroids for ARDS (Lancet Respir Med 2020; 8:267). Studies also have shown varying results when comparing different forms of noninvasive respiratory support.

Investigators from France randomized more than 500 patients admitted to an intensive care unit with COVID-19 and hypoxemic respiratory failure to high-dose (16.6 mg/day) or low-dose (6 mg/day) dexamethasone. The initial trial design compared high-dose dexamethasone to placebo, but this protocol was modified (based o…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

No Difference in Mortality with High- vs. Low-Dose Steroids for COVID-19

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Reviewing Author