Corticosteroids in Severe COVID-19 (ASAP-ESICM/ESAIC Study)

Overview

Brief Summary: Administration of systemic corticosteroids for patients with severe forms of severe acute respiratory syndrome in coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are recommended by several guidelines. In the very beginning of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic the early recommendation by professional organization was against routine use of corticosteroids for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ARDS, despite previous data and clinical practice for patients with refractory or severe form of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). But recently after publication of RECOVERY trial (Randomized Evaluation of Covid-19 Therapy, July 2020) and ensued metaanalysis of World Health Organization (WHO) working group, routine administration of systemic corticosteroids was revisited. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding evidence supporting the dose, type of administration (bolus vs. continuous infusion), timing and type of corticosteroids. Ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are challenging the recommendation of 6 mg of dexamethasone for all patients with severe form of COVID-19. Due to the dynamics of COVID-19 surges and rapid issuing of official recommendations, daily clinical practice of systemic corticosteroids administration can vary. An electronic evaluation form containing 20 questions will be sent to European Society of Intensive Care (ESICM) and European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) members. Participants will be asked to describe their routine clinical practice regarding administration of systemic corticosteroids among patients with COVID-19 ARDS.

Brief Summary: Administration of systemic corticosteroids for patients with severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are recommended by several guidelines. In the very beginning of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic the early recommendation by professional organization was against routine use of corticosteroids for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ARDS, despite previous data and clinical practice for patients with refractory or severe form of ARDS. But recently after publication of RECOVERY trial (Randomized Evaluation of Covid-19 Therapy, July 2020) and ensued metaanalysis of WHO working group, routine administration of systemic corticosteroids was revisited. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding evidence supporting the dose, type of administration (bolus vs. continuous infusion), timing and type of corticosteroids. Ongoing RCTs (Randomized Clinical Trials) are challenging the recommendation of 6 mg of dexamethasone for all patients with severe form of COVID-19. Due to the dynamics of COVID-19 surges and rapid issuing of official recommendations, daily clinical practice of systemic corticosteroids administration can vary. An electronic evaluation form containing 20 questions will be sent to European Society of Intensive Care (ESICM) European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) members. Participants will be asked to describe their routine clinical practice regarding administration of systemic corticosteroids among patients with COVID-19 ARDS.