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.
-
Probe Raises Questions About PSG’s 2017 Deal and Political Involvement. French authorities have launched an investigation into allegations...
-
Cabinet decision shifts frozen tax funds away from Hamas-run Gaza, utilizing Norway as an intermediary. Israel’s cabinet has given...
-
Newly Released Footage Reveals Arrest at Miami Airport Newly released body camera footage reveals the arrest of 73-year-old Donna...
-
Russian Foreign Minister Asserts Moscow’s Stance on Nuclear Arms Control Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced today that Russia...
-
Cross-Border Clashes Escalate Between Pakistan and Iran In a significant escalation of hostilities, Pakistan and Iran have exchanged military...
-
UN Mission Aircraft Taken by Militants After Technical Issue In a concerning development, the al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Shabab has reportedly...
-
As scrutiny intensifies, Fujitsu faces repercussions for its role in the Post Office scandal. The UK government has issued...
-
Parker Solar Probe to achieve record-breaking proximity to the sun, providing unprecedented insights into solar processes. Since its launch...
-
Pakistan’s Election Commission rejects Imran Khan’s Nominations Pakistan’s Election Commission has rejected former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nomination to...
-
Residents Urged to Evacuate as Japan Faces Significant Tsunami Threat Following Powerful Quake In the wake of a powerful...
-
Experts to Reveal Latest Assessment of Global Threats The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a nonprofit organization founded in...
-
Summit Focuses on Aid for Ukraine as Internal Divisions Threaten Unified Action European heads of state are set to...