DEXAMETHASONE USE IN MANAGEMENT OF COVID19: A REVIEW
covid-19, Pandemic, acute respiratory distress syndrome, Dexamethasone, Randomized Controlled Trial, steroids
The lack of active 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic treatment creates a challenge for researchers and scientists to find the most appropriate treatment for this disease. Dexamethasone, according to the findings of the RECOVERY clinical trial, declared mid-June 2020 in print media was one of those therapies. Although the results from retrospective studies are not strongly supportive of corticosteroid routine use in COVID-19 despite the signals for some benefits, the dedicated RECOVERY trial found a significant reduction in death with dexamethasone only in severe cases on a ventilator or moderate cases on supplemental oxygen therapy nevertheless, no benefit observed in mild to moderate cases requiring no oxygen. More studies are still necessary to substantiate conclusive use with dexamethasone in COVID-19. This narrative review attempts to summarize all available shreds of evidence from previously published research articles on the use of dexamethasone in COVID-19 pandemic treatment.