PLoS ONE (Jan 2022)

Use of glucocorticoids megadoses in SARS-CoV-2 infection in a spanish registry: SEMI-COVID-19

  • Cristina Lavilla Olleros,
  • Cristina Ausín García,
  • Alejandro David Bendala Estrada,
  • Ana Muñoz,
  • Philip Erick Wikman Jogersen,
  • Ana Fernández Cruz,
  • Vicente Giner Galvañ,
  • Juan Antonio Vargas,
  • José Miguel Seguí Ripoll,
  • Manuel Rubio-Rivas,
  • Rodrigo Miranda Godoy,
  • Luis Mérida Rodrigo,
  • Eva Fonseca Aizpuru,
  • Francisco Arnalich Fernández,
  • Arturo Artero,
  • Jose Loureiro Amigo,
  • Gema María García García,
  • Luis Corral Gudino,
  • Jose Jiménez Torres,
  • José-Manuel Casas-Rojo,
  • Jesús Millán Núñez-Cortés,
  • On behalf of the SEMI-COVID-19 Network

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1

Abstract

Read online

Objective To describe the impact of different doses of corticosteroids on the evolution of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, based on the potential benefit of the non-genomic mechanism of these drugs at higher doses. Methods Observational study using data collected from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry. We evaluated the epidemiological, radiological and analytical scenario between patients treated with megadoses therapy of corticosteroids vs low-dose of corticosteroids and the development of complications. The primary endpoint was all-cause in-hospital mortality according to use of corticosteroids megadoses. Results Of a total of 14,921 patients, corticosteroids were used in 5,262 (35.3%). Of them, 2,216 (46%) specifically received megadoses. Age was a factor that differed between those who received megadoses therapy versus those who did not in a significant manner (69 years [IQR 59–79] vs 73 years [IQR 61–83]; p Conclusion There is no difference in mortality with megadoses versus low-dose, but there is a lower incidence of infectious complications with glucocorticoid megadoses.