In this multi-center, randomized, control study, the investigators will evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoid in combination with standard care for COVID-19 patents with Severe acute respiratory failure.
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was initially outbreak in Wuhan, China. Severe acute
respiratory infection with COVID-19 causes severe acute respiratory failure with substantial
mortality. Currently, the standard care is supportive care, and no treatment is proven to be
effective for this condition.
Glucocorticoid therapy is widely used among critically ill patients with other coronavirus
infection such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory
syndrome). However, whether glucocorticoid improved the outcome of COVID-19 remains unknown.
We hypothesized that glucocorticoid would improve the prognosis of patietns with COVID-19.
In this study, critically ill patients with COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized to receive
ether standard care or standard care in combination with methylprednisolone therapy. The
primary outcome is the difference of Murray lung injury score between two groups.
Drug: methylprednisolone therapy
Methylprednisolone 40 mg q12h for 5 days
Other Name: Steroids
Other: Standard care
Standard care
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult
- PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection
- Symptoms developed more than 7 days
- PaO2/FiO2 < 200 mmHg
- Positive pressure ventilation (non-invasive or invasive) or high flow nasal cannula
(HFNC) higher than 45 L/min for less than 48 hours
- Requiring ICU admission
Exclusion Criteria:
- pregnancy;
- patients currently taking corticosteroids (cumulative 400 mg prednisone or
equivalent);
- Severe underlying disease, i.e. end stage of malignancy disease or end stage of
pulmonary disease;
- Severe adverse events before ICU admission, i.e. cardiac arrest;
- Underlying disease requiring corticosteroids;
- Contraindication for corticosteroids;
- Recruited in other clinical intervention trial
Medical ICU,Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Beijing, Beijing, China