Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 44(01): 100-117
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1759778
Review Article

Glucocorticoid Therapy in COVID-19

Francesco Amati
1   Respiratory Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
2   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
,
Antonio Tonutti
2   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
,
John Huston
3   Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Center for Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
,
Charles S. Dela Cruz
3   Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Center for Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in significant mortality in pandemic proportions. Inflammation in response to the infection contributes to the pathogenesis of pneumonia. This review will discuss prior studies on the use of glucocorticoids to treat respiratory infections, the rationale for the use glucocorticoids in COVID-19, and review of existing data. We will also highlight outstanding research questions for future studies.



Publication History

Article published online:
16 January 2023

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