In patients requiring conventional oxygen support, giving a higher dose of dexamethasone raised risk for death compared with standard-dose corticosteroids.
In patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who require oxygen support, dexamethasone (6 mg daily for 10 days) reduces mortality and is standard of care. Now, in a randomized open-label trial, the RECOVERY group compared high-dose dexamethasone (20 mg daily for 5 days followed by 10 mg daily for 5 more days) to standard-dose dexamethasone in 1272 hospitalized patients who were hypoxic but did not require ventilatory support.
Participants were enrolled between May 2021 and May 2022. About 60% were in Asia (mostly Nepal) and 40% were in the U.K. Approximately half had received a COVID-19 vaccine. Almost all participants were receiving conventional oxygen support at randomization. The high-dose and standard-dose dexamethasone groups had similar use …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)