Corticosteroidal Clinical Efficacy in Combating Cytokine Storm in Hospitalized COVID-19 Infected Patients

Objectives: It appears that corticosteroidal agents, including Dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone, are the cost-effective therapeutic regarding positive clinical outcomes. The present study aims to explore the comparative positive clinical impacts of 6 mg and 12 mg IV Dexamethasone (DEX Cohorts) versus 20 mg and 40 mg Methylprednisolone (MET Cohorts) in Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit (MVICU) SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Methods: An observational retrospective study was processed on admitted MVICU affected COVID-19 patients between Mar 2020 and Sep 2021. A One-Way ANOVA and Chi Square Tests were conducted to analyze the retrievable patients’ comparative data and to investigate the primary tested clinical outcomes of ICU length of stay and overall, 28-day ICU mortality rate. Results: The overall mean age in SARSO-CoV-2 infected patients was 59.80±10.74 years with significantly Male to Female distributed ratio of 2.42: 1. The shock index was significantly lower in the MET Cohorts compared with DEX Cohorts with Mean ± SD of (1.12±0.03 bpm/mmHg and 1.22±0.04 bpm/mmHg) vs (1.29±0.17 bpm/mmHg and 1.31±0.23 bpm/mmHg). During an average of 13.40±4.79 days and 19.67±6.81 days of the ICU and hospital stay days, the overall-28-day ICU mortality rate was stated on 136 (55.97%). Conclusion: Higher daily doses of either Dexamethasone (6 mg Q 12 hrs) or Methylprednisolone (40 mg Q 12 hrs) have significantly favorable positive outcomes [Dexamethasone>Methylprednisolone] when compared to lower daily doses of Dexamethasone (6 mg Q 24 hrs) or Methylprednisolone (20 mg Q 12 hours) [Methylprednisolone>Dexamethasone].