Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38435152›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Impact of Corticosteroid Therapy on ICU Patient Outcomes in Severe COVID-19 Cases: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Saudi Arabia.

Lama Alkhunaizi, Jawza A Almutairi, Sarah H Almanea, Shuruq M Alzahuf, Mohammed Fehaid, Abdulaziz Alharthi, Tameem Alhebs, Sarah M Alshuqayfi, Rana Alotaibi, Meshari Alharbi and 4 more

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact, top 98% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed, 0 citations in OpenAlex.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors at 6 institutions in 1 country.

Lama AlkhunaiziCollege of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.
Jawza A AlmutairiOphthalmology, King Khaled Hospital, Al Majmaah, SAU.
Sarah H AlmaneaMedicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAU.
Shuruq M AlzahufMedicine, Najran University, Najran, SAU.
Mohammed FehaidNeurology, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU.
Abdulaziz AlharthiCollege of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU.
Tameem AlhebsFamily Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim, SAU.
Sarah M AlshuqayfiCollege of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Qunfudah, SAU.
Rana AlotaibiPharmacy, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Meshari AlharbiCollege of Medicine, Qassim University, Riyadh, SAU.
Zahra E AbdalwahabEmergency Medicine, Najran University, Najran, SAU.
Abeer AloqaybiInternal Medicine, Ibn Sina College, Jeddah, SAU.
Sarah H TalebiMedicine and Surgery, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU.
Ayman M KharabaCritical Care, King Fahad Hospital, Madinah, SAU.
King Abdulaziz University · SAImam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University · SAJazan University · SAKing Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences · SAQassim University · SATaif University · SA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges in clinical management, and intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide have become epicenters of high-stakes treatment decisions. Among these, corticosteroid therapy has risen as a pivotal, yet controversial, treatment modality. In Saudi Arabia, where unique demographic and health system characteristics intersect, understanding the specific effects of corticosteroids on ICU patient outcomes is not just critical but a pressing necessity in tailoring effective COVID-19 management strategies.

objectiveThis study aims to elucidate the effects of corticosteroid therapy on the outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabian ICUs, providing critical insights into treatment efficacy and guiding future clinical practices. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this cohort study, we meticulously reviewed the medical records of 1085 severe COVID-19 patients admitted to Saudi Arabian ICUs. Our analysis focused on demographic details, ICU outcomes, and the extent and implications of corticosteroid therapy. The study employed comprehensive methods for data collection, evaluation criteria, and statistical analysis, ensuring a thorough understanding of the impact of corticosteroids in this context.

resultsThe study encompassed 1085 patients, predominantly male (74.5%, N=806), with an average age of 56 and a mean BMI of 30.07. A significant portion (72.3%, N=784) received corticosteroid therapy. These patients generally experienced longer ICU (mean 23 days) and hospital stays (mean 16 days), along with higher rates of microbiological cure (72.3%, N=648) and increased ICU discharge likelihood. Conversely, corticosteroid recipients showed higher mortality rates at ICU discharge. The statistical analysis confirmed the significance of these findings, reinforcing their importance in managing COVID-19 in ICUs.

conclusionThe research highlights the intricate dynamics of corticosteroid use in treating severe COVID-19 cases in ICUs. While associated with prolonged ICU stays and increased mortality, corticosteroids also correlate with higher microbiological cure rates and discharge likelihood. These insights call for careful deliberation in applying corticosteroid therapy, with implications for enhancing clinical protocols and guiding future research in severe COVID-19 treatment.

Indexed as

clinical practice implicationsfuture research directionsicu patient outcomesmedical research methodspandemic response strategiespublic health insightsretrospective cohort studysaudi arabia healthcaresevere covid-19 treatmentsteroid therapy impact

Identifiers

PMID38435152
PMCPMC10908548
OpenAlexW4391451926

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.