The Impact of Corticosteroids on Secondary Infection and Mortality in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Authors

Lindsay A. Ritter, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Noel Britton, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Emily L. Heil, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
William A. Teeter, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Sarah B. Murthi, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Jonathan H. Chow, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Emily Ricotta, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Daniel S. Chertow, NIH Clinical Center (CC)
Alison Grazioli, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Andrea R. Levine, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Journal

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine

DOI

10.1177/08850666211032175

Keywords

COVID-19; ICU; mortality; SARS-CoV-2; secondary infection; steroids

Abstract

Background: Corticosteroids are part of the treatment guidelines for COVID-19 and have been shown to improve mortality. However, the impact corticosteroids have on the development of secondary infection in COVID-19 is unknown. We sought to define the rate of secondary infection in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and determine the effect of corticosteroid use on mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Study Design and Methods: One hundred and thirty-five critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the University of Maryland Medical Center were included in this single-center retrospective analysis. Demographics, symptoms, culture data, use of COVID-19 directed therapies, and outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. The primary outcomes were secondary infection and mortality. Proportional hazards models were used to determine the time to secondary infection and the time to death. Results: The proportion of patients with secondary infection was 63%. The likelihood of developing secondary infection was not significantly impacted by the administration of corticosteroids (HR 1.45, CI 0.75-2.82, P = 0.28). This remained consistent in sub-analysis looking at bloodstream, respiratory, and urine infections. Secondary infection had no significant impact on the likelihood of 28-day mortality (HR 0.66, CI 0.33-1.35, P = 0.256). Corticosteroid administration significantly reduced the likelihood of 28-day mortality (HR 0.27, CI 0.10-0.72, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Corticosteroids are an important and lifesaving pharmacotherapeutic option in critically ill patients with COVID-19, which have no impact on the likelihood of developing secondary infections.

APA Citation

Ritter, L., Britton, N., Heil, E., Teeter, W., Murthi, S., Chow, J., Ricotta, E., Chertow, D., Grazioli, A., & Levine, A. (2021). The Impact of Corticosteroids on Secondary Infection and Mortality in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients. Journal of Intensive Care Medicine, (). http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/08850666211032175