Awake Prone Positioning Reduces Need For Intubation in Severe COVID: LANCET
Prone positioning has been shown to improve oxygenation and mortality for intubated patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. A recent study suggests that awake prone positioning significantly reduced the need for intubation of patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. The study findings were published in the LANCET on March 16, 2022.
Since the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, awake prone positioning has been broadly performed worldwide, and it has been recommended by multiple societies. However, the results from published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the past year are contradictory. It is crucial to resolve ongoing uncertainties regarding the effects of awake prone positioning on intubation and all-cause mortality for patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. Therefore, Dr Jie Li and her team conducted a study to systematically synthesise the outcomes associated with awake prone positioning, and evaluate these outcomes in relevant subpopulations.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis, two independent groups of researchers searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MedRxiv, BioRxiv, and ClinicalTrials.gov for RCTs and observational studies (with a control group) of awake prone positioning in patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. Upon assessing 1243 studies, the researchers included a total of 29 studies and used a random-effects meta-analysis to pool individual studies. They also used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to assess the certainty and quality of the evidence. The major outcome assessed was the reported cumulative intubation risk across RCTs, and effect estimates were calculated as risk ratios (RR;95% CI).
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.