September 2, 2020

analysis of seven trials looking at whether corticosteroids reduce risk of death in critically ill COVID-19 patients

A meta-analysis of seven randomised controlled trials which looked at whether corticosteroids are effective in reducing deaths among people most severely affected by COVID-19 was published on Wednesday 2^nd September.

The study by an international team of scientists, co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with analyses led by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) researchers at the University of Bristol, recruited 1,703 critically ill patients spanning five continents and included some of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19. The results of three of the seven trials were also published today.

Journalists dialled in to this briefing to hear the authors describe their findings and answer questions.

Speakers will include:

Prof Jonathan Sterne, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Bristol and Deputy Director of the NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR Bristol BRC).

Prof Martin Landray, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Oxford.

Prof Anthony Gordon, Professor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care NIHR Research Professor, Imperial College London.

An SMC Roundup of comments accompanied this briefing.