Association between administration of IL-6 antagonists and mortality among patients hospitalized for COVID-19. A Meta-analysis
Review of 27 studies found administration of IL-6 antagonists vs usual care/placebo, was associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Absolute mortality risk of 22% vs assumed mortality risk of 25% respectively (0.86 [95% CI, 0.79-0.95].
Source:
Journal of the American Medical Association
SPS commentary:
Significant 28-day all-cause mortality benefit was only found when interleukin 6 antagonists were coadministered with glucocorticoids (summary OR 0.78 with concomitant glucocorticoid administration vs 1.09 without glucocorticoid administration). The benefits of IL-6ra were most evident among patients who received respiratory support with oxygen by nasal cannula, face mask, high-flow nasal oxygen (OR for death, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.67-0.98]), or noninvasive ventilation (OR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.72- 0.96]) vs those who required invasive mechanical ventilation (OR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.78-1.16]).