Long-term Outcome of Short-course High-dose Glucocorticoids for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): A 17-Year Follow-up in SARS Survivors

Abstract

Use of high-dose glucocorticoids for COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) is controversial because of safety concerns. We examined the long-term consequences of glucocorticoid use in severe acute respiratory syndrome (caused by SARS-CoV-1) survivors. Results showed that high-dose glucocorticoids greatly increased the long-term risk of avascular necrosis but not other major diseases.