A cheap steroid dramatically reduced coronavirus deaths in a 'major breakthrough' trial

[KenH]

‘Giving the steroid dexamethasone reduces deaths by one-third for critically ill coronavirus patients who are on ventilators, the researchers found. It cut deaths by 20% among patients with COVID-19 who are getting extra oxygen.

"Dexamethasone is the first drug to be shown to improve survival in COVID-19," Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University of Oxford, and one of the chief investigators for the trial, said in a statement. "This is an extremely welcome result."

He told the BBC that it was " a major breakthrough." ‘

Dexamethasone reduces coronavirus deaths in patients on ventilators - Business Insider

 

[canadyjd]

Very good news, indeed. Step by step, we are making great progress treating this virus

peace to you

 

[Deacon]

Corticosteroids decrease inflammation, nothing really groundbreaking here.
This is simply a study that demonstrates the usefulness of one of the drugs commonly used to combat complications of Covid-19.

Rob

 

[Gold Dragon]

Corticosteroids decrease inflammation, nothing really groundbreaking here.
This is simply a study that demonstrates the usefulness of one of the drugs commonly used to combat complications of Covid-19.

Rob

Yes as you are aware but others here may not be, steroids like dex have been used from the beginning of covid19 and is a common tool in the inflammatory phase (ARDS and cytokine storm) of similar illnesses.

I remember early anecdotal reports of minimal impact of steroids which was very concerning because it is one of our most potent tools in other similar conditions. I think now that we understand better the distinction between the viral phase and inflammatory phases of the illness, it will help to target therapy. Because if given in the wrong phase, could potentially worsen the situation. Here was an article debating pros and cons, looking at the evidence for steroids 1 month ago and calling for RCT data.

PulmCrit - Before/after study of short-course steroid in COVID-19
https://emcrit.org/pulmcrit/steroid-detroit/
It is encouraging because this is a RCT that shows a statistically significant mortality benefit that none of our other treatments so far have really shown. Even remdesivir, our most effective treatment studied to date did not show a statistically significant mortalitity benefit. In lay terms, while remdesivir helped those who recovered to recover faster with the drug than without, it did not actually save more lives than the difference expected in random chance.

One thing to keep in mind is that the study shows that dex has no benefit on a patient not needing oxygen. And is more effective the more severe the respiratory requirements. Patents on ventilators had the most benefit. It is also a preprint report with minimal data listed so caution is always advised while we wait for the details and peer review process. But altogether encouraging.

Low-cost dexamethasone reduces death by up to one third in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of COVID-19 — RECOVERY Trial

A total of 2104 patients were randomised to receive dexamethasone 6 mg once per day (either by mouth or by intravenous injection) for ten days and were compared with 4321 patients randomised to usual care alone. Among the patients who received usual care alone, 28-day mortality was highest in those who required ventilation (41%), intermediate in those patients who required oxygen only (25%), and lowest among those who did not require any respiratory intervention (13%).

Dexamethasone reduced deaths by one-third in ventilated patients (rate ratio 0.65 [95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.88]; p=0.0003) and by one fifth in other patients receiving oxygen only (0.80 [0.67 to 0.96]; p=0.0021). There was no benefit among those patients who did not require respiratory support (1.22 [0.86 to 1.75]; p=0.14).

Major study finds steroid reduces deaths in patients with severe Covid-19

www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/covid-19-steroid-drug-dexamethasone-1016248/amp/