Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 A Meta-analysis

Key Points
 

Question  Is administration of IL-6 antagonists associated with 28-day all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19?

Findings  This prospective meta-analysis of 27 randomized trials included 10 930 patients, of whom 2565 died by 28 days. The 28-day all-cause mortality was lower among patients who received IL-6 antagonists compared with those who received usual care or placebo (summary odds ratio, 0.86). The summary odds ratios for the association of IL-6 antagonist treatment with 28-day all-cause mortality were 0.78 with concomitant administration of corticosteroids vs 1.09 without administration of corticosteroids.

Meaning  Administration of IL-6 antagonists, compared with usual care or placebo, was associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.