Comparison between Standard Dose Methyl-Prednisolone and Mega Dose Methyl-prednisolone As Regards Outcome in SARS.COV.2 Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Deadly pandemics and disease emergences are not new phenomena: they have been challenging human existence throughout recorded history. Some have killed sizeable percentages of humanity, but humans have always searched for, and often found, ways of mitigating their deadly effects. Objective to compare between standard dose methyl prednisolone (1-2 mg/kg) and mega dose methyl prednisolone (0.5 g to 1g) as regards outcome reflected by mortality rate, percentage of mechanically ventilated patients and ICU length of stay of COVID 19 patients admitted in ICU. Patients and Methods After obtaining approval from the Research Ethical Committee of Ain Shams University (FMASU MS 41/2022) this study was obtained from Ain Shams University Isolation Hospitals records. Group A: Patients admitted in ICU, COVID PCR positive and requiring oxygen therapy who received methyl prednisolone standard dose (1-2 mg/kg). Group B: Patients admitted in ICU, COVID PCR positive and requiring oxygen therapy who received methyl prednisolone mega dose (0.5-1 g per day). Results This study showed that there is no significant statistical difference between receiving standard dose and mega dose methyl prednisolone as regards mortality rate or need for mechanical ventilation. Conclusion This study showed that there is no significant statistical difference between receiving standard dose and mega dose methyl prednisolone as regards mortality rate or need for mechanical ventilation. But showed significant statistical difference as regards ICU length of stay denoting that patients received mega dose methyl prednisolone showed increased ICU stay.