In some patients, respiratory symptoms and imaging abnormalities persist after acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

The chest computed tomography (CT) generally shows diffuse parenchymal lung abnormalities consistent with organising pneumonia (OP).

It has also been proposed that the novel SARS-CoV-2 could act as a trigger to exalt the presence of pre-existing interstitial lung abnormalities encountered in the general population, especially in smokers.

Previous observational studies reported improvement with glucocorticoids in symptomatic patients with post-COVID-19 diffuse parenchymal lung abnormalities (PC-DPLAS).

A recent guideline recommended glucocorticoids for treating PC-DPLAS. However, there are no randomised controlled trials on therapies for this condition.

We did not find high-dose prednisolone better than low-dose prednisolone in improving the clinical, radiologic, physiologic, and HRQOL outcomes in PC-DPLAS.

A placebo-controlled trial of glucocorticoids is required to better inform clinical practice for treating PC-DPLAS.

Read More