The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Dexamethasone has been widely used in treating severe COVID-19 patients due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, its long-term impact on mortality remain unclear. Objective To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on short-term (28-day) and long-term (1-year) mortality in...

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Main Authors: Jian Zhao, Hui Hua Jiang, Hong Hong Wan, Dan Liu, Yi Zhao, Yan Qing Chen, Yuan Zhuo Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-10216-3
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author Jian Zhao
Hui Hua Jiang
Hong Hong Wan
Dan Liu
Yi Zhao
Yan Qing Chen
Yuan Zhuo Chen
author_facet Jian Zhao
Hui Hua Jiang
Hong Hong Wan
Dan Liu
Yi Zhao
Yan Qing Chen
Yuan Zhuo Chen
author_sort Jian Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Dexamethasone has been widely used in treating severe COVID-19 patients due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, its long-term impact on mortality remain unclear. Objective To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on short-term (28-day) and long-term (1-year) mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to explore its efficacy across different respiratory support. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the MIMIC-IV (v3.0) database. A total of 576 confirmed COVID-19 patients were included, with 288 patients receiving dexamethasone and 288 not receiving it, matched by propensity scores. Survival analyses assessed the impact of dexamethasone on mortality, and subgroup analyses were performed based on the type of respiratory support received. Results After propensity score matching, dexamethasone treatment was associated with reduced mortality at both 28 days (adjusted HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46–0.99, P = 0.045) and 1 year (adjusted HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47–0.92, P = 0.014). Subgroup analysis revealed differential treatment effects by respiratory support type (P for interaction = 0.001 at 28 days and 0.004 at 1 year). The survival benefit was most pronounced in patients receiving NIV (28-day adjusted HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.42, P < 0.001) and significant in those receiving IMV (28-day adjusted HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39–0.99, P = 0.045), while no significant benefit was observed in patients receiving oxygen therapy alone. Conclusion This retrospective study suggests that dexamethasone treatment was associated with reduced mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, particularly in those receiving NIV or IMV. These findings add to the evidence supporting dexamethasone use in severe COVID-19 patients requiring respiratory support.
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spelling doaj-art-28ca1ee1f22d4eb7bcd8fd4910a285c32025-08-20T02:08:15ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342024-11-012411910.1186/s12879-024-10216-3The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective studyJian Zhao0Hui Hua Jiang1Hong Hong Wan2Dan Liu3Yi Zhao4Yan Qing Chen5Yuan Zhuo Chen6Department of Emergency, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineAbstract Background Dexamethasone has been widely used in treating severe COVID-19 patients due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, its long-term impact on mortality remain unclear. Objective To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on short-term (28-day) and long-term (1-year) mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to explore its efficacy across different respiratory support. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the MIMIC-IV (v3.0) database. A total of 576 confirmed COVID-19 patients were included, with 288 patients receiving dexamethasone and 288 not receiving it, matched by propensity scores. Survival analyses assessed the impact of dexamethasone on mortality, and subgroup analyses were performed based on the type of respiratory support received. Results After propensity score matching, dexamethasone treatment was associated with reduced mortality at both 28 days (adjusted HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46–0.99, P = 0.045) and 1 year (adjusted HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47–0.92, P = 0.014). Subgroup analysis revealed differential treatment effects by respiratory support type (P for interaction = 0.001 at 28 days and 0.004 at 1 year). The survival benefit was most pronounced in patients receiving NIV (28-day adjusted HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.42, P < 0.001) and significant in those receiving IMV (28-day adjusted HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39–0.99, P = 0.045), while no significant benefit was observed in patients receiving oxygen therapy alone. Conclusion This retrospective study suggests that dexamethasone treatment was associated with reduced mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, particularly in those receiving NIV or IMV. These findings add to the evidence supporting dexamethasone use in severe COVID-19 patients requiring respiratory support.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-10216-3DexamethasoneCOVID-19MortalityMIMIC-IVRetrospective studyRespiratory support
spellingShingle Jian Zhao
Hui Hua Jiang
Hong Hong Wan
Dan Liu
Yi Zhao
Yan Qing Chen
Yuan Zhuo Chen
The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study
BMC Infectious Diseases
Dexamethasone
COVID-19
Mortality
MIMIC-IV
Retrospective study
Respiratory support
title The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study
title_full The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study
title_fullStr The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study
title_short The impact of dexamethasone on short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study
title_sort impact of dexamethasone on short and long term mortality in hospitalized covid 19 patients a retrospective study
topic Dexamethasone
COVID-19
Mortality
MIMIC-IV
Retrospective study
Respiratory support
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-10216-3
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