Inhaled corticosteroids’ effect on COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background More than six million people died due to COVID-19, and 10-15% of infected individuals suffer from post-covid syndrome. Corticosteroids are widely used in the management severe COVID-19 post-acute symptoms. This study synthesizes current evidence effectiveness inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on mortality, hospital length-of-stay (LOS), improvement smell scores patients with COVID-19. Methods We searched Embase, Web Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus until Aug 2022. The risk bias tool was assess quality studies. evaluated ICS through measures LOS, alleviation symptoms, time sustained self-reported cure, sense (visual analog scale (VAS)). Results Ten studies were included meta-analysis. Our showed a significant decrease LOS over placebo (MD = -1.52, 95% CI [-2.77 -0.28], p-value 0.02). Patients treated intranasal (INC) VAS week three four =1.52, [0.27 2.78], 0.02), COVID-related symptoms after 14 days (RR 1.17, [1.09 1.26], < 0.0001). No differences detected mortality (RR= 0.69, [0.36 1.35], 0.28) cure -1.28, [-6.77 4.20], 0.65). Conclusion concluded that use decreased patient improved COVID-19-related INC may have role improving score. Therefore, using for two weeks or more prove beneficial. Current data do not demonstrate an effect cure. However, is inconclusive, needed precise data.