The role of corticosteroids in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at Mexico general Hospital.

Objective: To compare the evolution of hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who received corticosteroid-based treatment versus patients who received standard therapy.

Method: Retrospective, observational, and analytical study. Clinical records were collected from the different intensive care units, and data were obtained from confirmed COVID-19 patients over 18 years of age who were hospitalized. The population was divided into two groups: patients who received corticosteroid treatment, and those who received standard therapy.

Results: A total of 1603 patients were admitted to hospital, and of these 984 (62.9%) were discharged due to death. The main result was the identification by odds ratio (OR: 4.68; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.75-5.83; p = 0.001) as risk for death to the use of systemic steroids, as well as the use of invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.80-2.82; p < 0.001). The male gender was the most affected with 1051 (65.6%) patients. Mean age was 56 years (± 14).

Conclusions: Corticosteroid use was associated with poor prognosis in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to those receiving standard therapy.