Table 2.
Main outcomes.
| Total (N = 71) | MPP group (N = 34) | Control group (N = 37) | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary outcome | ||||
| Treatment failure at 14 days, n (%) | 20 (28.2) | 10 (29.4) | 10 (27) | 0.823 |
| Mortality | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |
| ICU admission | 1 (1.4) | 0 (0) | 1 (2.7) | 1.000 |
| Need for mechanical ventilation | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |
| Clinical worsening# | 20 (28.2) | 10 (29.4) | 10 (27) | 0.823 |
| Secondary outcomes | ||||
| Mortality at 28 days, n (%) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |
| ICU admission at 28 days, n (%) | 1 (1.4) | 0 (0) | 1 (2.7) | 1.000 |
| Need for high-flow oxygen therapy, n (%) | 4 (5.6) | 1 (2.9) | 3 (7.9) | 0.360 |
| Radiological worsening, n (%) | 32 (45.1) | 13 (38.2) | 19 (51.4) | 0.267 |
| Length of hospital stay, days | 7 (5–10) | 6 (5–10) | 7 (5–11) | 0.237 |
Data are expressed as number of patients (%) and median (interquartile range).
MPP, methylprednisolone pulses; ICU, intensive care unit.
#
Defined as at least one of the two following conditions: (1) SpO2 in ambient air below 90%, or PaO2 in ambient air below 60 mmHg or PaO2/FiO2 below 300; or (2) ≥15% decrease in the PaO2 from baseline, together with an increase in the levels of any inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, or ferritin) or radiological progression.