• J L Callejas Rubio, I Aomar Millan, M Moreno-Higueras, L Martín Ripoll, E Yuste Osorio, and R Ríos-Fernández.
• Unidad de Enfermedades Autoinmunes Sistémicas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, España.
• Rev Clin Esp. 2021 Dec 1; 221 (10): 592595592-595.

IntroductionThe effect of dexamethasone in the initial phase of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its influence on COVID-19 is not well defined. We describe clinical-radiological characteristics, the cytokine storm parameters, and the clinical evolution of a series of patients treated with dexamethasone in the disease's initial phase.MethodA study of 8 patients who received dexamethasone before the development of COVID-19. We evaluate clinical variables, imaging tests, cytokine release parameters, treatment used and patient evolution.ResultsAll patients received a 6 mg/day dose with a mean duration of 4.5 days before admission. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed that most of them presented a severe extension; most patients had a slightly elevated level of cytokine release parameters. Three patients required high-flow oxygen therapy due to respiratory failure; none required orotracheal intubation or died.ConclusionDexamethasone in the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to be associated with severe COVID-19.© 2021 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI). All rights reserved.

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