A Comparative Study of Dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone in COVID-19 Patients: Clinical Outcomes and Inflammatory Markers.

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, prompted by SARS-CoV-2, has created complicated health crises. An excessive inflammatory response and cytokine storm characterize severe COVID-19. Corticosteroids like dexamethasone and methylprednisolone are used for their anti-inflammatory effects, but comparisons of their efficacy are lacking.

Objective: This study seeks to rigorously assess and contrast the effectiveness of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone in combating COVID-19 infections.

Methods: This retrospective clinical study evaluates the effects of these two corticosteroids by reviewing the files of 500 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The baseline characteristics of the patients, chest CT severity score, type of steroid prescription, duration of hospitalization and steroid prescription, dosage of corticosteroid therapy, their recovery status, hospital mortality, and specific disease severity-associated markers, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were collected and compared.

Results: The study found no significant difference in most disease severity-associated markers between the two corticosteroid groups. However, lower mortality rates and shortened hospital stays were significantly associated with dexamethasone, especially in critical patient groups. A detailed analysis of inflammatory markers suggested minimal differences based on the type of corticosteroid used.

Conclusion: The study indicates that dexamethasone may have some advantages in specific clinical outcomes. Further research needs to explore the mechanisms involved despite similar anti-inflammatory profiles.