Aim: To investigate the efficacy of systemic corticosteroids in treatment for Post-COVID-19 Interstitial Lung Disease. Method: Method: In this multi-centre, prospective, randomised controlled open label clinical trial, patients are divided into two arms: standard treatment arm and standard plus systemic corticosteroid arm. After four weeks, clinical response will being assessed as primary outcome.
Drug: Methylprednisolone Tablet
Methylprednisolone, oral, 0.5 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks
Other Name: Prednol
Inclusion Criteria:
- Post-COVID-19 Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) patients who had completed the treatment
of acute phase and have recovered, but despite after a month from recovery diagnosed
as post-COVID ILD based upon the persistent respiratory symptoms with functional
impairment and radiological sequela.
- At least 30 days required after discharge for hospitalized patients and isolation
termination for outpatients
- Confirmation of the diagnosis of COVID-19 via real time polymerase chain reaction
assay (rt-PCR) or antigen or antibody test in the acute phase of COVID-19.
- Presence of sequelae interstitial changes in follow-up thorax high-resolution computed
tomography (HRCT)/CT.
- Presence of persistent respiratory symptoms in the post-COVID-19 period or hypoxemia
at rest and/or desaturation with exercise.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who had a normal lung imaging examination (radiography, tomography, etc.) at
discharge.
- Diffuse parenchymal lung disease before pandemic
- Cystic bronchiectasis
- Presence of contraindications for systemic corticosteroids (uncontrolled Diabetes,
uncontrolled Hypertension, unstable angina pectoris, history of acute coronary
syndrome at last month, presence of active infection, active peptic ulcer, presence of
uncontrolled psychiatric disease, etc.)
- Decompensated heart failure
- Contraindications for pulmonary function tests and those who cannot cooperate with the
test
- Younger than 18 years old
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women
- Those who do not give written consent
Ufuk University Medicine Faculty
Ankara, Turkey
METİN AKGÜN, Study Director
ATATURK UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE