Outcomes of Patients Taking Corticosteroids Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study Between Hypertensive and Non-Hypertensive Patients

Background and Objective: Independently or combined with other factors, such as corticosteroids, hypertension can increase the risk of death and worsen hospital outcomes among patients with the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to compare the outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients using corticosteroids in a sample of 246 hypertensive and 176 non-hypertensive patients in Lebanon. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was performed over three months in which data were collected from patients’ medical charts. Hospitalized patients for COVID-19 taking corticosteroids were grouped into hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27 by taking all-cause mortality as the independent variable and (i) General information about the patients, (ii) Medical history and (iii) Corticosteroid regimen characteristics as dependent variables. Results: The hypertension group had older patients and a higher proportion of ICU admissions and positive COVID-19 tests during hospitalization. Among hypertensive patients, older age, severe cases and shorter corticosteroid treatment correlated with higher all-cause mortality. Non-hypertensive patients with severe cases and high blood pressure also faced increased mortality risk. Hypertensive patients had more ventilator-free days but used convalescent plasma less frequently. Conclusion: Although the corticosteroid treatment was comparable between hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients, they had different hospital outcomes. Findings from this study suggest additional clinical support for hypertensive patients to secure better in-hospital management of cases.