For better or worse: Dexamethasone versus methylprednisolone among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone among patients suffering with COVID-19 pneumonia. Study Design: Quantitative Retrospective Comparative study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: February to September 2021. Material & Methods: Data included archival record of 120 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 pneumonia during July 2020 to December 2020. Data was retrospectively collected by researchers using a predesigned study proforma and analyzed through SPSS software 25.0. Results: Out of 120 reported cases of COVID-19 pneumonia, 76 (63.3%) were males, and 44(36.7%) were females (p= 0.097). There were 67 patients (55.8%) prescribed with dexamethasone treatment (Group A) and 53 patients (44.2%) with methylprednisolone treatment (Group B). Mean duration of hospital stay was 3.48 + 3.0 days in Group A and 3.45 + 3.0 days in Group B. Six patients were lost for follow-up Out of 114 patients, 63 patients (55.26%) had mortality within 30 days of study while 51 patients (44.74%) survived. Conclusion: There is no statistical difference in the outcomes of COVID-19 pneumonia when treated with dexamethasone as compared to methylprednisolone in terms of outcome related to duration of hospitalization, need for ICU admission and reported mortality within 30 days. More studies are warranted with larger sample size.