(16 Mar 2021) Corticosteroids- shorter courses of corticosteroids are associated with an increased risk of being readmitted

Short durations of corticosteroids for hospitalised COVID-19 patients are associated with a high readmission rate

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2021.03.002

196 patients were admitted from the community with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and discharged alive in December 2020. Corticosteroids were prescribed in hospital for a median of 5 days (IQR 3-8). 20 patients (10.2%) were readmitted within 10 days. 11/20 received corticosteroids in the first admission of which 10 had received 1-3 days of corticosteroids. Readmission rate in those receiving 1-3 days of steroids was 25%. Most international guidelines have recommended providing up to 10 days of corticosteroids for severe COVID-19 but stopping discharge. Our findings show shorter courses of corticosteroids during admission are associated with an increased risk of being readmitted and support continuing the course of corticosteroids after hospital discharge monitored in the virtual ward setting.