Inhaled Therapies in the Treatment of Respiratory Symptoms and Prevention of Health Resources Use in Patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) showed some favorable results in controlling the worsening of COVID-19, given that it has effects on lung inflammation and can be an intervention to be used in mild manifestations of the disease. Objective: to determine the effectiveness of triple inhalation therapy (beclomethasone 100mcg/ formoterol 6mcg/ glycopyrronium 12.5mcg) or ICS (beclomethasone 250mcg) on respiratory symptoms and prevention of use of health resources in patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Methods: During August/2021 to May/2022 this pilot study included 46 patients with COVID-19 randomized according to the ratio of 1:1:1 into three groups and treated for 28 days as follows: standard of care (SOC) + triple therapy, two doses, twice a day (G1); SOC + ICS, two doses, twice a day (G2) and SOC (G3). The SOC consisted of analgesics and/or antipyretics. This trial had stoped after the incidence dropped down due to the complete vaccination rate in the city. Results: Of the evaluated patients [59% female, 34(25-41) years old and BMI of 26.5(23-30)kg/m2] 18 used triple therapy, 14 used beclomethasone and 14 SOC. No differences were observed between the groups in relation to the need for health resources (p=0.892), only one patient needed hospitalization in the SOC group. We did not observe statistical difference in the occurrence and time to resolution of respiratory symptoms such chest pain, fatigue, and cough between groups. Conclusion: The use of ICS therapy, combined or not with a bronchodilator, did not influence the occurrence and duration of respiratory symptoms, as well as the need for health resources in patients with COVID-19.