Early Combination of Tocilizumab and Corticosteroids: An Upgrade in Anti-inflammatory Therapy for Severe Coronavirus Disease (COVID)

Abstract

This correspondence reports clinical outcomes of early combined administration of tocilizumab and corticosteroids in 136 consecutive patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to a tertiary hospital during the first pandemic wave. Patients receiving early anti-inflammatory combination therapy showed significantly lower rates of ICU admission or in-hospital mortality compared with those receiving standard timing therapy. Multivariable adjusted models confirmed the benefit of early combined treatment. These findings contributed to the early clinical debate on optimal timing of immunomodulatory therapy in severe COVID-19.