Impact of corticosteroids use on midterm sequelae in survivors of COVID-19 admitted to hospital: A prospective cohort study.

An understanding of the midterm sequelae in COVID-19 and their association with corticosteroids use are needed. Between March and July 2020, we evaluated 1227 survivors of COVID-19, 3 months posthospitalization, of whom 213 had received corticosteroids within 7 days of admission. Main outcome was any midterm sequelae (oxygen therapy, shortness of breath, one major clinical sign, two minor clinical signs or three minor symptoms). Association between corticosteroids use and midterm sequelae was assessed using inverse propensity-score weighting models. Our sample included 753 (61%) male patients, and 512 (42%) were older than 65 years. We found a higher rate of sequelae among users than nonusers of corticosteroids (42% vs. 35%, odds ratio [OR] 1.40 [1.16-1.69]). Midterm sequelae were more frequent in users of low-dose corticosteroids than nonusers (64% vs. 51%, OR 1.60 [1.10-2.32]), whereas no association between higher doses (≥20 mg/day equivalent of dexamethasone) and sequelae was evidenced (OR 0.95 [0.56-1.61]). Higher risk of sequelae with corticosteroids use was observed among subjects with propensity score below the 90th percentile. Our study suggest that corticosteroids use during hospitalization for COVID-19 is associated with higher risk of midterm sequelae.

A case of febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease responsive to systemic corticosteroids.

Febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease (FUMHD) is a rare, potentially fatal subtype of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA). Herein, we present a rare case of a 14-year-old male without significant past medical history who was diagnosed with FUMHD without a clear inciting factor. He was effectively treated with systemic corticosteroids with complete resolution of symptoms.

Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency (CIRCI) Among Patients with COVID-19 at a Tertiary Hospital: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes.

Objectives: Among critically ill patients, there is usually impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to a condition known as critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). This investigation aims to determine the incidence of and characterize CIRCI among patients with COVID-19 as well as to analyze the outcomes of these critically ill patients. Methodology: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study that investigated the occurrence of CIRCI among critically ill patients infected with COVID-19. Results: In this cohort, there were 145 COVID-19-positive patients with refractory shock, which reflects that 22.94% of the COVID-19 admissions have probable CIRCI.Patients who were given corticosteroids were found to have statistically significant longer median days on a ventilator (p=0.001). However, those on the corticosteroid arm were at higher risk of morbidity and mortality and a greater proportion had organ dysfunction. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that SOFA score was a significant predictor of mortality in CIRCI (p=0.013). Conclusion: CIRCI has a unique presentation among patients with COVID-19 because of the presence of a high level of inflammation in this life-threatening infection. It is possibly a harbinger of a markedly increased risk of mortality in these patients.

[Corticoid treatment and SARS-CoV-2 variants: two independent factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in a Spanish regional hospital].

BACKGROUND: Pandemic inter-wave hospital admissions and COVID-19-related mortality rates vary greatly. Some of the factors that may be playing part in this are the profile of the patients, viral variants, pharmacological treatments, or preventive measures. This work aimed to analyze the factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital during 2020-2021. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with COVID-19 patients admitted to Hospital de Barbastro (Spain) during 2020-2021. Data were collected from the Spanish Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos and microbiology and electronic prescription records. RESULTS: During the study period, 908 patients were consecutively admitted for COVID-19 (median age 70 years, 57.2% males); 162 (17.8%) patients died. We identified seven successive epidemiological waves. The following variables significantly associated to higher mortality: age, arterial hypertension, chronic renal failure, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, prior stroke, Charlson index, and wave 2; wave 4 was associated to greater survival. The multivariate analysis showed that age (OR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.09-1.14), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=2.33; 95% CI: 1.18-4.57), wave 2 (OR=2.57; 95% CI: 1.10-6.00), and wave 3 (OR=2.94; 95% CI: 1.17-7.38) associated with higher mortality. Glucocorticoid treatment was the only protective factor (OR=0.29; 95%CI: 0.14-0.62). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the therapeutic utility of glucocorticoids to reduce in-hospital mortality due to COVID-19. Heterogeneous mortality rates between the different COVID-19 waves suggest a direct role of viral variants as determinants of lethality, regardless of the patient's history.

[Comments on the systemic corticosteroid strategy for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)].

Systemic corticosteroid is considered effective in treating severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in both Chinese and international consensus and/or guidelines. Dexamethasone (6 mg daily for up to 10 days) is usually recommended. However, based on the outcomes of variable clinical trials and our clinical experience in treating the COVID-19 patients, the starting time, initial dosage and course of corticosteroid might be varied case by case. Individualized administration of corticosteroid is suggested according to the COVID-19 patient's demographic characteristics, underlying disease and immune status, severity and progression rate of COVID-19, inflammatory condition and concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The choice of new treatments in autoimmune hemolytic anemia: how to pick from the basket?

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is defined by increased erythrocyte turnover mediated by autoimmune mechanisms. While corticosteroids remain first-line therapy in most cases of warm-antibody AIHA, cold agglutinin disease is treated by targeting the underlying clonal B-cell proliferation or the classical complement activation pathway. Several new established or investigational drugs and treatment regimens have appeared during the last 1-2 decades, resulting in an improvement of therapy options but also raising challenges on how to select the best treatment in individual patients. In severe warm-antibody AIHA, there is evidence for the upfront addition of rituximab to prednisolone in the first line. Novel agents targeting B-cells, extravascular hemolysis, or removing IgG will offer further options in the acute and relapsed/refractory settings. In cold agglutinin disease, the development of complement inhibitors and B-cell targeting agents makes it possible to individualize therapy, based on the disease profile and patient characteristics. For most AIHAs, the optimal treatment remains to be found, and there is still a need for more evidence-based therapies. Therefore, prospective clinical trials should be encouraged.

A living WHO guideline on drugs for covid-19

UPDATES: This is the twelfth version (eleventh update) of the living guideline, replacing earlier versions (available as data supplements). New recommendations will be published as updates to this guideline. CLINICAL QUESTION: What is the role of drugs in the treatment of patients with covid-19? CONTEXT: The evidence base for therapeutics for covid-19 is evolving with numerous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) recently completed and under way. The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants (such as omicron) and subvariants are also changing the role of therapeutics. This update provides updated recommendations for remdesivir, addresses the use of combination therapy with corticosteroids, interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blockers, and janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in patients with severe or critical covid-19, and modifies previous recommendations for the neutralising monoclonal antibodies sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab in patients with non-severe covid-19. NEW OR UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS: • Remdesivir: a conditional recommendation for its use in patients with severe covid-19; and a conditional recommendation against its use in patients with critical covid-19. • Concomitant use of IL-6 receptor blockers (tocilizumab or sarilumab) and the JAK inhibitor baricitinib: these drugs may now be combined, in addition to corticosteroids, in patients with severe or critical covid-19. • Sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab: strong recommendations against their use in patients with covid-19, replacing the previous conditional recommendations for their use. UNDERSTANDING THE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS: When moving from new evidence to updated recommendations, the Guideline Development Group (GDG) considered a combination of evidence assessing relative benefits and harms, values and preferences, and feasibility issues. For remdesivir, new trial data were added to a previous subgroup analysis and provided sufficiently trustworthy evidence to demonstrate benefits in patients with severe covid-19, but not critical covid-19. The GDG considered benefits of remdesivir to be modest and of moderate certainty for key outcomes such as mortality and mechanical ventilation, resulting in a conditional recommendation. For baricitinib, the GDG considered clinical trial evidence (RECOVERY) demonstrating reduced risk of death in patients already receiving corticosteroids and IL-6 receptor blockers. The GDG acknowledged that the clinical trials were not representative of the world population and that the risk-benefit balance may be less advantageous, particularly in patients who are immunosuppressed at higher risk of opportunistic infections (such as serious fungal, viral, or bacteria), those already deteriorating where less aggressive or stepwise addition of immunosuppressive medications may be preferred, and in areas where certain pathogens such as HIV or tuberculosis, are of concern. The panel anticipated that there would be situations where clinicians may opt for less aggressive immunosuppressive therapy or to combine medications in a stepwise fashion in patients who are deteriorating. The decision to combine the medications will depend on their availability, and the treating clinician's perception of the risk-benefit balance associated with combination immunosuppressive therapy, particularly in patient populations at risk of opportunistic infections who may have been under-represented in clinical trials. When making a strong recommendation against the use of monoclonal antibodies for patients with covid-19, the GDG considered in vitro neutralisation data demonstrating that sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab evaluated in clinical trials have meaningfully reduced neutralisation activity of the currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 and their subvariants. There was consensus among the panel that the absence of in vitro neutralisation activity strongly suggests absence of clinical effectiveness of these monoclonal antibodies. However, there was also consensus regarding the need for clinical trial evidence in order to confirm clinical efficacy of new monoclonal antibodies that reliably neutralise the circulating strains in vitro. Whether emerging new variants and subvariants might be susceptible to sotrovimab, casirivimab-imdevimab, or other anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies cannot be predicted. PRIOR RECOMMENDATIONS: • Recommended for patients with severe or critical covid-19­strong recommendations for systemic corticosteroids; IL-6 receptor blockers (tocilizumab or sarilumab) in combination with corticosteroids; and baricitinib as an alternative to IL-6 receptor blockers, in combination with corticosteroids. • Recommended for patients with non-severe covid-19 at highest risk of hospitalisation­a strong recommendation for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir; conditional recommendations for molnupiravir and remdesivir. • Not recommended for patients with non-severe covid-19­a conditional recommendation against systemic corticosteroids; a strong recommendation against convalescent plasma; a recommendation against fluvoxamine, except in the context of a clinical trial; and a strong recommendation against colchicine. • Not recommended for patients with non-severe covid-19 at low risk of hospitalisation­a conditional recommendation against nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. • Not recommended for patients with severe or critical covid-19­a recommendation against convalescent plasma except in the context of a clinical trial; and a conditional recommendation against the JAK inhibitors ruxolitinib and tofacitinib. • Not recommended, regardless of covid-19 disease severity­a strong recommendations against hydroxychloroquine and against lopinavir/ritonavir; and a recommendation against ivermectin except in the context of a clinical trial. ABOUT THIS GUIDELINE: This living guideline from the World Health Organization (WHO) incorporates new evidence to dynamically update recommendations for covid-19 therapeutics. The GDG typically evaluates a therapy when the WHO judges sufficient evidence is available to make a recommendation. While the GDG takes an individual patient perspective in making recommendations, it also considers resource implications, acceptability, feasibility, equity, and human rights. This guideline was developed according to standards and methods for trustworthy guidelines, making use of an innovative process to achieve efficiency in dynamic updating of recommendations. The methods are aligned with the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development and according to a pre-approved protocol (planning proposal) by the Guideline Review Committee (GRC). A box at the end of the article outlines key methodological aspects of the guideline process. MAGIC Evidence Ecosystem Foundation provides methodological support, including the coordination of living systematic reviews with network meta-analyses to inform the recommendations. The full version of the guideline is available online in MAGICapp and in PDF, with a summary version here in The BMJ. These formats should facilitate adaptation, which is strongly encouraged by WHO to contextualise recommendations in a healthcare system to maximise impact. Future recommendations: Recommendations on anticoagulation are planned for the next update to this guideline.

Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious and potentially lethal pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). No specific antiviral treatment is currently available. The purpose of this review is to highlight the main repurposed drug treatments with in-vitro or in-vivo efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent clinical trials suggested remdesivir, IFN-ß-1b and favipiravir have potential clinical and/or virological benefits on patients with COVID-19. Short course of stress dose of corticosteroids might be used as adjunctive treatment to patients who are late presenters with cytokine storm. Convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients with high neutralizing antibody might also be beneficial in the treatment of severe disease. SUMMARY: Early effective antiviral therapy in COVID-19 patients will suppress the SARS-CoV-2 viral load. Adjunctive therapy with corticosteroid and convalescent plasma might further ameliorate the cytokine response. Further randomized clinical trials of combination therapy are needed.

Systemic corticosteroid use and cardiovascular risk in patients hospitalized for pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available concerning cardiovascular risk with respect to adjunctive corticosteroid use in patients with pneumonia. We aimed to assess the associations between systemic corticosteroid use and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients hospitalized for pneumonia. METHODS: Among study participants enrolled via surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection from July 2016 to January 2017, the clinical course of patients with pneumonia was retrospectively investigated until December 2019. We evaluated the occurrence of in-hospital and after-discharge MACEs according to steroid use during hospitalization. RESULTS: Of the 424 patients hospitalized for pneumonia, 118 (28.8%) received systemic corticosteroids during hospitalization. The most common reason for steroid use was acute exacerbation of chronic lung disease (75.4%). Systemic steroid use was significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital MACEs; it was not associated with after-discharge MACEs. The risk of in-hospital MACEs was significantly greater in patients with more comorbidities, more severe pneumonia, and a higher inflammatory marker level; moreover, it was positively associated with duration and cumulative dose of steroid treatment. CONCLUSION: Systemic corticosteroid use was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital MACEs in patients hospitalized for pneumonia.

Geographical differences in the use of oral corticosteroids in patients with severe asthma in Spain: heat map based on existing databases analyses.

BACKGROUND: Although there are currently alternative treatments to the long-term use of oral corticosteroids (OCS) in severe asthma, recent studies show excessive use depending on geography and differences in medical practice. The objective of the study was to describe the differences in OCS use for severe asthma across the Spanish geography. METHODS: This is a real-world study using existing databases (year 2019): longitudinal patient database (EMR), based on electronic medical records, and database of pharmacological consumption (Sell-in) in basic healthcare areas. With EMR, the percentage of OCS prescriptions corresponding to patients with severe asthma (ICD-9 "asthma" and prescription of biological treatment and/or high dose of inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting inhaled ß2 agonists) was calculated. This percentage was transferred to the OCS consumption of each basic healthcare area as reported in the Sell-in database and a national heat map was created. The estimation of OCS use in patients with severe asthma per 100,000 inhabitants for each region was calculated by grouping basic healthcare areas and the mean OCS use per patient for different regions in Spain was also estimated. RESULTS: Patients with severe asthma in Spain were mostly female (69.6%), with a mean age (SD) of 57.6 years (18.01). Median time (Pc25-Pc75) since asthma diagnosis was 83.1 months (34.65-131.56). Of all patients with OCS prescriptions in 2019 identified in EMR, 4.4% corresponded to patients with severe asthma. Regions with the highest OCS use were Asturias, Andalucía, and Galicia, whereas those with the lowest use were Navarra, Baleares, Madrid and País Vasco. The mean OCS use per patient with severe asthma in 2019 throughout Spain was 1099.85 mg per patient, ranging from 782.99 mg in Navarra to 1432.64 in Asturias. CONCLUSIONS: There are geographical differences between Spanish regions with respect to the use of OCS in patients with severe asthma. The national mean consumption of OCS per patient with severe asthma and year is above the limits that indicate good asthma control.

Factors associated with improved outcome of inhaled corticosteroid use in COVID-19: A single institutional study.

Asthmatics seem less prone to adverse outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and some data shows that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are protective. We gathered data on anecdotal ICS and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, given there is literature supporting ICS may reduce risk of severe infection. In addition, we fill gaps in current literature evaluating Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) as a risk assessment tool for COVID-19. This was a single-center, retrospective study designed and conducted to identify factors associated intubation and inpatient mortality. A multivariate logistic regression model was fit to generate adjusted odds ratios (OR). Intubation was associated with male gender (OR, 2.815; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.348-5.881; P = .006) and increasing body mass index (BMI) (OR, 1.053; 95% CI, 1.009-1.099; P = .019). Asthma was associated with lower odds for intubation (OR, 0.283; 95% CI, 0.108-0.74; P = .01). 80% of patients taking pre-hospital ICS were not intubated (n = 8). In-patient mortality was associated with male gender (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.167-5.1; P = .018), older age (OR, 1.096; 95% CI, 1.052-1.142; P = <.001), and increasing BMI (OR, 1.079; 95% CI, 1.033-1.127; P = .001). Asthma was associated with lower in-patient mortality (OR, 0.221; 95% CI, 0.057-0.854; P = .029). CCI did not correlate with intubation (OR, 1.262; 95% CI, 0.923-1.724; P = .145) or inpatient mortality (OR, 0.896; 95% CI, 0.665-1.206; P = .468). Asthmatics hospitalized for COVID-19 had less adverse outcomes, and most patients taking pre-hospital ICS were not intubated. CCI score was not associated with intubation or inpatient mortality.

Living with frozen shoulder. 'Here are the risks. I want the injection'. An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

BACKGROUND: Frozen shoulder is a disabling condition characterised by severe pain and loss of shoulder movement and may affect up to 5% of the population. Qualitative research documents debilitating pain and how treatment to reduce pain is a priority for people diagnosed with frozen shoulder. Corticosteroid injections are a principal treatment to reduce the pain of frozen shoulder, however little is known about the patient experience. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to address this gap in the knowledge by exploring the lived experience of people with frozen shoulder who have undergone an injection and to highlight other novel findings. DESIGN: This is a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis. One-to-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven people diagnosed with frozen shoulder who had received a corticosteroid injection as part of their management. METHODOLOGY: A purposive sample of participants were interviewed via MSTeams™ due to Covid-19 restrictions. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed in accordance with interpretive phenomenological analysis methods. RESULTS: Three group experiential themes were identified: the dilemma surrounding injections; the challenges of understanding the causes of frozen shoulder; the impact on self and others. CONCLUSION: Participants conveyed a strong desire in seeking a corticosteroid injection whilst seemingly dismissing the risks. A novel concept was illuminated as frozen shoulder seemed inextricably linked with the ageing process, which negatively impacted body-image. The impact on others is driven by a sense of the unfamiliar nature of illness and it is incumbent on healthcare professionals to seek opportunities to explore the individual's beliefs.

[Exacerbation of obstructive pulmonary diseases by SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients treated in the Pulmonology Clinic of Târgu Mures]. / Obstruktív tüdobetegségek súlyosbodása SARS-CoV-2-fertozés hatására a marosvásárhelyi Pulmonológiai Klinika beteganyagában.

INTRODUCTION: Literature data show an increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cardiovascular, renal comorbidities, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, obesity, diabetes, tumors and immunosuppression. METHOD: This retrospective study includes 90 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with COPD or asthma exacerbations from 303 patients hospitalized during a 7-month period (29.7%). The clinical aspect of COPD/asthma exacerbations overlapped to the one by SARS-CoV-2 infection, therefore, we compared our group with 90 patients with SARS-CoV-2 without obstructive disease. We excluded from both groups the patients with known severe cardiac impairment, diabetes, or tumors in order to not having interference with other unfavorable prognostic factors. We assessed the cases severity on clinical basis, pulzoximetry, CT/chest x-ray, and inflammatory markers. RESULTS: 72.2% of our group (48/52 with COPD and 17/38 with asthma) had moderate/severe pneumonia (bilateral interstitial-alveolar infiltrates, increased inflammatory markers, respiratory dysfunction) compared with 56.6% from the nonobstructive group. 14 patients required intensive therapy (including mechanical ventilation). We recorded 4 deaths in COPD group, 1 in asthma group, compared to 2 in non-obstructive patients (fatality 7.6% in COPD compared to 2.2% in nonobstructive group). Treatment included maximized inhaled bronchodilators ± corticosteroids, oxygen, antivirals, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, symptomatic. All patients were referred for clinical-functional and CT scan reassessment 2 months after discharge. CONCLUSION: The association of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with COPD or asthma was common, leading to exacerbation with significant severity. Fatality increased in COPD. Outpatient follow-up aims to restage adjust the treatment and monitor post-COVID-19 possible sequels. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(2): 43-50.

Hearing loss and COVID-19: an umbrella review.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 can result in an extensive range of extrapulmonary, and neurological signs and symptoms such as olfactory and/or taste dysfunction, and otologic symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the hearing loss manifestation from COVID-19. METHODS: The goal of this umbrella review was to examine hearing loss associated with COVID-19 disease. English literature published until October 15, 2022 in online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase was considered for this purpose. Eligibility of the articles for subsequent data extraction was evaluated in a two-step selection process with consideration to an inclusion/exclusion criterion. This review followed the PRISMA protocol and the Amstar-2 checklist for quality assessment. RESULTS: A total of four treatment strategies were used by different studies which included oral corticosteroids, intratympanic corticosteroids, combined oral and intratympanic corticosteroids, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Five studies investigated corticosteroid use in the forms of oral or intratympanic injection; four studies reported (complete or partial) hearing improvements after steroid treatment, while one study stated no significant improvement in hearing function. One study reported that oral corticosteroid monotherapy alone was not effective, while vestibular symptoms were ameliorated by a combination of oral prednisone, intratympanic dexamethasone injection, and hydroxychloroquine. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that despite being one of the rare complications of COVID-19, hearing loss can impact a patient's quality of life. The most common type reported was sensorineural hearing loss, which can be diagnosed with variable techniques.

Drugs in primary care that may alter COVID-19 risk and severity.

ABSTRACT: This article describes drugs used in primary care that could alter patients' risk for and severity of COVID-19. The risks and benefits of each drug class were differentiated according to the strength of evidence from 58 selected randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Most of the studies reported on drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Other classes included opioids, acid suppressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, vitamins, biguanides, and statins. Current evidence has not fully differentiated drugs that may increase risk versus benefits in COVID-19 infection. Further studies are needed in this area.

Corticosteroid outcome may be dependent of duration of use in severe COVID-19.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: For patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require supplemental oxygen, the evidence of the optimal duration of corticosteroid is limited. This study aims to identify whether long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with decreased mortality. METHODS: Between February 10, 2020 and October 31, 2021, we analyzed consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 with severe hypoxemia. The patients were divided into short-term (≤ 14 days) and long-term (> 14 days) corticosteroid users. The primary outcome was 60-day mortality. We performed propensity score (PS) analysis to mitigate the effect of confounders and conducted Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. RESULTS: There were 141 (52%) short-term users and 130 (48%) long-term corticosteroid users. The median age was 68 years and the median PaO2/FiO2 at admission was 158. Of the patients, 40.6% required high-flow nasal cannula, 48.3% required mechanical ventilation, and 11.1% required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The overall 60-day mortality rate was 23.2%, and that of patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) was 22.9%. The Kaplan-Meier curve for 60- day survival in the PS-matched cohort showed that corticosteroid for > 14 days was associated with decreased mortality (p = 0.0033). There were no significant differences in bacteremia and HAP between the groups. An adjusted odds ratio for the risk of 60-day mortality in short-term users was 5.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.90-18.26; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: For patients with severe COVID-19, long-term use of corticosteroids was associated with decreased mortality, with no increase in nosocomial complications. Corticosteroid use for > 14 days can benefit patients with severe COVID-19.

Anti-S1/RBD-Specific Antibody Formation After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Elderly Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Single-Center Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The guidelines of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been continuously updated, with extensive discussion on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 booster vaccines and antibody generation associated with the different types of vaccine. We investigated the effects of the third dose of the mRNA vaccine on antibody titer and the factors associated with antibody production in patients with RA who had previously received two doses of the ChAdOx1-S nCoV-19 vaccine. METHODS: Between October 14, 2021 and June 17, 2022, two patient groups diagnosed with RA were recruited prospectively: one with two doses of ChAdOx1-S nCoV-19 and the second group with the additional third mRNA vaccine. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody titers were determined through semiquantitative anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Antibody titers were compared in both groups considering clinical features and medications. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with antibody production. Also, we followed up the antibody titers of whom completed the 3rd mRNA vaccination. RESULTS: Among 261 patients, all patients were over 60 years old except for 7 patients and the average age was 65 years; 153 had completed two doses of ChAdOx1-S nCoV-19, while 108 patients had also received the third mRNA vaccine. The positive rates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-S1/receptor binding domain-specific antibody (titer > 0.8 U/mL) were 97% (149/153) and 99% (107/108) respectively. However, positive rates for high antibody titer (> 250 U/mL) were found in only 31% (47/153) of group 1 but 94% (102/108) of group 2. Multivariate analysis revealed that corticosteroid use (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.75), older age (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.860-0.98), and male sex (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07-0.74) were associated with a lower rate of high antibody titer acquisition after two doses of ChAdOx1-S nCoV-19. Waning of antibody titers was observed in only two of 46 patients who followed up twice after the third mRNA vaccine inoculation. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the third dose of the mRNA vaccine could be beneficial in RA patients with risk factors including older age, male sex, and corticosteroid use after two doses of ChAdOx1-S nCoV-19.

Association between prolonged corticosteroids use in COVID-19 and increased mortality in hospitalized patients: a retrospective study with inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of early use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to compare hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who received short-course corticosteroid treatment with those who received prolonged-course corticosteroid treatment to determine whether prolonged use of corticosteroids improves clinical outcomes, including mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study including adult patients with positive testing for Sars-CoV-2 hospitalized for more than 10 days. Data were obtained from electronic medical records. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the duration of treatment with corticosteroids: a short-course (10 days) and a prolonged-course (longer than 10 days) group. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was used to evaluate whether prolonged use of corticosteroids improved outcomes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were hospital infection and the association of different doses of corticosteroids with hospital mortality. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the nonlinear association between mortality and dose and duration of corticosteroids use. RESULTS: We enrolled 1,539 patients with COVID-19. Among them, 1127 received corticosteroids for more than 10 days (prolonged-course group). The in-hospital mortality was higher in patients that received prolonged course corticosteroids (39.5% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). The IPTW revealed that prolonged use of corticosteroids significantly increased mortality [relative risk (RR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.24-1.89]. In comparison to short course treatment, the cubic spline analysis showed an inverted U-shaped curve for mortality, with the highest risk associated with the prolonged use at 30 days (RR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.21-1.78). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged course of treatment with corticosteroids in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was associated with higher mortality.