Published online Jan 14, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i2.426
Peer-review started: August 17, 2021
First decision: November 3, 2021
Revised: November 12, 2021
Accepted: December 2, 2021
Article in press: December 2, 2021
Published online: January 14, 2022
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a pandemic outbreak with a high infection rate, high morbidity and mortality, occupying more public medical resources. Therefore, it is urgent to find effective treatment for COVID-19.
The use of corticosteroids in COVID-19 has been included in World Health Organiza
Examine the efficacy and safety of low-to-moderate dose short-term methylprednisolone on COVID-19 patients.
Seventy COVID-19 patients received antiviral therapy with Arbidol for 7-10 d before admission but had no obvious absorption on chest computed tomography (CT) imaging were retrospectively analyzed. Arbidol (as the control group) and methylprednisolone (as the corticosteroid group) were given respectively after admission. After treatment, chest CT was reexamined to evaluate the absorption of pulmonary lesions.
The degree of CT absorption in the corticosteroid group was significantly better than that of control group (P < 0.05). The average daily dose and course of methylprednisolone in the patients with significant improvement on chest CT was (38.55 ± 13.17) mg and (6.44 ± 1.86) d respectively.
Low-to-moderate dose short-term methylprednisolone can accelerate the chest CT imaging absorption of COVID-19.
The protocol has been proven to be effective and safe in clinical use, it can improve the condition, reduce the hospital stay, avoid severe phases and save medical resources.