Coronavirus: Steroids reduce risk of death in critically ill Covid-19 patients, new study shows

The use of inexpensive steroids in treating patients hospitalised with Covid-19 has been found to reduce the risk of death by 20 per cent, according to a new study.

The analysis encompassed seven clinical trials, which focused on three different types of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, and was conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Following the publication of the new data, the WHO issued new guidelines in which it recommended the use of corticosteroids as standard treatment for patients with “severe and critical” Covid-19.

The study, analysed by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) at the University of Bristol, looked at patient mortality over a 28-day period after treatment.

It found that treatment with one of three types of corticosteroid led to an estimated 20 per cent reduction in the risk of death.

Researchers said it was equivalent to about 68 per cent of critically ill patients surviving after treatment with the steroids, compared to approximately 60 per cent surviving without them.

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