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Seven combined studies conclude patients benefit from steroid treatment

Seven international trials with coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with severe cases can benefit from using two types of steroids for medical treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that doctors should consider using dexamethasone and hydrocortisone for patients with a severe case of COVID-19.

In a study led by Oxford University and NHS hospitals found that one in eight COVID-19 patients requiring a ventilator can be saved by using the steroid, dexamethasone. The results of this study combined with six similar studies have confirmed that the widely available steroid, hydrocortisone, can also help to save the lives of COVID-19 patients.

According to the meta-analysis of the results from all seven trials, these steroids can help reduce the risk of death in seriously ill patients by 20% out of 1,703 participants. This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, along with three of the trials separately published in the journal.

The lead author of the meta-analysis and Bristol University professor of medicine and epidemiology Jonathan Sterne explained, “The results were consistent across the trials and show benefit regardless of age or sex. We’ve got a consistent message from all these trials, and the effect of hydrocortisone appears consistent with the effect of dexamethasone.”

This medication can greatly help combat COVID-19 as they are readily available at affordable prices with access to nearly all income classes. This discovery will also help patients with severe cases without access to ventilators and the drugs are being used more for COVID-19 cases.

In May, only 7-8% of COVID-19 hospital patients were given dexamethasone but increased to 55% by the end of June. Using this medication for COVID-19 patients can also cut hospital care costs with improved discharged patient care and reduces further treatment costs.

This study is making history in combatting COVID-19 but is also a unique study for the medical field. Sterne explained this meta-analysis is unique and unusual in science with several groups combining their results rather than publishing separately but was needed to determine whether these drugs can save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.