Description Module
The Description Module contains narrative descriptions of the clinical trial, including a brief summary and detailed description. These descriptions provide important information about the study's purpose, methodology, and key details in language accessible to both researchers and the general public.
Description Module path is as follows:
Study -> Protocol Section -> Description Module
Description Module
Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-24 @ 3:20 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2025-12-24 @ 3:20 PM
NCT ID:
NCT04323592
Brief Summary:
COVID-19 infection is overwhelming Italian healthcare. There is an urgent need for a solution to the lack of ICU beds and increasing deaths day after day.
A recent retrospective Chinese paper (JAMA Intern Med, online March 13, 2020) showed impressive positive effect of methylprednisolone (MP) on survival of SARS-CoV-2 critically ill patients. Moreover, the Italian Infectious Disease leading institution guidelines for COVID-19 clinical management included as an option for patients with "incipient worsening of respiratory functions" methylprednisolone treatment at an approximate dose of 80mg.
The main objective of this multi-centre observational trial is to analyse the association of low dose prolonged infusion of methylprednisolone (MP) for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome with composite primary end-point (ICU referral, need for intubation, in-hospital death at day 28).
Detailed Description:
Comparison of two groups of patients SARS-CoV-2 positive with severe acute respiratory syndrome:
1. Exposed to low prolonged doses of Methylprednisolone
2. Not exposed to corticosteroids (standard of care alone)
The two group will be weighted by means of a propensity score according to:
1. Sex
2. Age
3. C-reactive protein (CRP) at baseline
4. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at baseline
5. PaO2/FiO2 ratio at baseline (ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen)
Anti-viral agents, chloroquine, respiratory support (any), and antibiotics (any) are allowed in each study group. Corticosteroids use, other than per-protocol Methylprednisolone in the exposed group is a reason for dropout.
1. The exposed group is treated with Methylprednisolone at study entry (baseline) according to a protocol based on the Italian national recommendations for COVID-19 management: a loading dose of 80 mg IV, followed by an infusion of 80 mg/day in 240 mL normal saline at 10 mL/h. The infusion is continued for at least eight days and until achieving either a PaO2:FiO2 \> 350 mmHg or a CRP \< 20 mg/L. Treatment is then switched to oral administration of Methylprednisolone 16 mg or 20 mg IV twice daily until CRP returns to \< 20% of normal range and/or PaO2:FiO2 \> 400 or SatHbO2 ≥ 95%. The decision to apply the protocol to Covid-19 is left to the discretion of the treating team for each individual patient.
2. Unexposed patients will be selected from concurrent consecutive COVID-19 patients with the same inclusion and exclusion criteria and blinded to outcome data.
Study:
NCT04323592
Study Brief:
Protocol Section:
NCT04323592