RECOVERY (Dexamethasone)
Dexamethasone in Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19
Patient / Population Intervention / Exposure Comparison Outcome
In 6,425 hospitalised patients with COVID-19, dexamethasone 6 mg/day × 10 d reduced 28-day mortality compared with usual care, in patients requiring oxygen or ventilation.
N
6,425
Design
Adaptive platform RCT, UK
Endpoint
28-day all-cause mortality
Relevance
1
Result22.9% vs 25.7% (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.75–0.93). Benefit only in patients on O₂ or mechanical ventilation.
RECOVERY Collaborative Group. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(8):693-704. 10.1056/NEJMoa2021436
Discussion & critique
The single largest treatment effect in the COVID-19 pandemic; transformed inpatient management.