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The inciting factor for bradycardia in COVID-19 patients: a potential harm of steroid treatment

Misa Ogiwara1, Hiroaki Ihara1,2, Yuki Muto1

  • 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University, Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Journal of Thoracic Disease
|June 17, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Steroid treatment in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may increase the risk of bradycardia. This study found a higher incidence of bradycardia in COVID-19 patients receiving steroids compared to influenza patients.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has been associated with bradycardia, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • This study investigates the occurrence and potential risk factors for bradycardia in COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of bradycardia in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
  • To compare the incidence of bradycardia in COVID-19 patients with that in influenza patients.
  • To identify risk factors associated with bradycardia in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study comparing 153 COVID-19 patients with 90 influenza patients.
  • Data collected from medical records included demographics, clinical characteristics, and vital signs.
  • Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for bradycardia.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 patients exhibited a significantly higher incidence of bradycardia and steroid use compared to influenza patients.
  • Steroid use was identified as a significant risk factor for bradycardia in COVID-19 patients (OR: 3.67, 95% CI: 1.12-11.96).
  • The incidence of bradycardia was higher in COVID-19 patients who received steroid treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Steroid treatment may be associated with an increased incidence of bradycardia in patients with COVID-19.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the relationship between steroid use and bradycardia in COVID-19.
Abstract

Keywords:
Steroidbradycardiacoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)influenza

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