Low-cost dexamethasone reduces death by up to one third in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of COVID-19In March 2020, the RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVid-19 thERapY)trial was established as a randomised clinical trial to test a range of potential treatments for COVID-19, including low-dose dexamethasone (a steroid treatment). Over 11,500 patients have been enrolled from over 175 NHS hospitals in the UK.
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 . There was no benefit among those patients who did not require respiratory support. Based on these results, 1 death would be prevented by treatment of around 8 ventilated patients or around 25 patients requiring oxygen alone.
Given the public health importance of these results, we are now working to publish the full details as soon as possible.
Oxford University News Release (16 June 2020):
www.recoverytrial.net/files/recovery_dexamethasone_statement_160620_v2final.pdf
www.businessinsider.co.za/dexamethasone-may-cut-risk-death-coronavirus-ventilator-patient-2020-6
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