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Dexamethasone for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lirane Elize Defante Ferreto1, Durcelina Schiavoni Bortoloti2, Paulo Cezar Nunes Fortes3
1PhD. Pharmacist and Associate Professor, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE), Francisco Beltrão (PR), Brazil.
Background:
Considering the disruptions imposed by lockdowns and social distancing recommendations, coupled with overwhelmed healthcare systems, researchers worldwide have been exploring drug repositioning strategies for treating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Objective:
To compile results from randomized clinical trials on the effect of dexamethasone, compared with standard treatment for management of SARS-CoV-2.
Design And Setting:
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in a Brazilian public university.
Methods:
We sought to compile data from 6724 hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results:
Treatment with dexamethasone significantly reduced mortality within 28 days (risk ratio, RR: 0.89; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.82-0.97). Dexamethasone use was linked with being discharged alive within 28 days (odds ratio, OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.07-1.33).
Conclusions:
This study suggests that dexamethasone may significantly improve the outcome among hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated severe respiratory complications. -Further studies need to consider both dose-dependent administration and outcomes in early and later stages of the disease.
Prospero Platform:
CRD42021229825.
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