Corticosteroids for COVID-19

The proposed trial is an interventional, randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive clinical trial in outpatients with symptomatic microbiologically-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, in stable clinical condition, and increased levels of serum C-reactive protein.

Potential participants will be identified via Public Health after a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is made either by positive nucleic acid testing or by antigen detection, from a nasal or pharyngeal swab. These study candidates will be asked for permission to be contacted. If this person agrees, a research collaborator will contact the potential participant by phone call. During this phone call, verbal informed consent to be included in the study will be requested.

After inclusion in the study, participants will be divided into two groups with the below follow-up outline:

• Group 1 non-RCT: Asymptomatic participants (no symptoms of early COVID-19). These participants will be followed by phone call every 48 hours for 14 days. If asymptomatic participants develop clinical symptoms of early COVID-19 during follow-up (pre-symptomatic COVID-19), they will be transferred to Group 2. Otherwise, study for this group will end at the 14 days timepoint with the exception 20 participants who consent to partake in the pulmonary evaluation at 12 weeks (tertiary/exploratory objective, see sections 3.1 and 7.1).
• Group 2 non-RCT: Participants with symptoms of early COVID-19 will undergo full follow-up every 48 hours for 4 visits (8 days) which will consist of:
• Review of clinical symptoms by phone call.
• Oxygen saturation.
• C-reactive protein in blood.

The strategy for the follow-up visits is described below. Participants in this group who present with the inclusion criteria and without exclusion criteria (section 1.5) will be asked to join the randomized control trial. Otherwise, study for this group will end at the 8 days time point with the exception of 20 participants who consent to partake in the pulmonary evaluation at 12 weeks (tertiary/exploratory objective, see sections 3.1 and 7.1).

Study visits:

Monitoring of C-reactive protein and oxygen saturation will be evaluated at the participant's home following a COVID-19 safe procedure. C-reactive protein will be determined by a point-of-care diagnostic device (Afinion[TM] 2 Analyzer, Abbott Laboratories, USA; Health Canada Regitration number 99614) using C-reactive protein cartridges and controls by the same manufacturer (Afinion CRP and Afinion CRP control Health Canada Registration number 98995). More information of the point-of-care device can be found at: https://www.globalpointofcare.abbott/en/product-details/afinion2-analyzer.html). A kit with all the necessary materials (gloves, lancet, alcohol scrubs, pulse oximeter (ToronTek-E400, Health Canada Registration number: 90629) and AfinionTM C-reactive protein cartridges) will be placed at the front door of the participant's home. In the case of long-term care facilities, nursing homes or other facilities with healthcare workers, the kit will be provided to the participant's main caregiver. The research associate (research coordinator, research assistant or medical student) will never be in contact with the participant or relatives and will always wear a mask and gloves to manipulate the material.

An educational video will be offered to participants to self-perform blood drop collection to the integrated capillary system. Those patients unable to perform self-collection of blood drop will be offered to remain in the study to know the evolution of clinical symptoms and outcome.

In each visit, a kit will be delivered to the participant's home by a research coordinator or research assistant. The content of the kit for each visit will contain the following items.

1. Pulse oximeter.
2. Surgical mask.
3. Alcohol pads (x2).
4. Single-use lancet (Unistik 3, Owen Mumford Ltd, Health Canada Licence No.: 9790) (x2).
5. Afinion 2 CRP cartridge.
6. Paper sheet.
7. Pen.

In the first visit, the kit will contain a 50 mL bottle of hand sanitizer and a 1-liter sharp container that the participant will retain for the following visits. Briefly, the patient will be instructed to wash her/his hands before collecting the kit. Before touching any other item, the participant will put on the surgical mask. The next step will be to register the oxygen saturation using the pulse oximeter and will register the value on the paper sheet. After cleaning the tip of a finger with an alcohol pad, the participant will obtain a blood drop and load the capillary of the C-reactive cartridge. After completing this task, the visit will be completed and the participant will return the kit containing the pen, paper sheet, Afinion 2 CRP cartridge and pulse oximeter. The participant will be instructed to deposit the used lancet in the sharp container.

Intervention: Eligible participants who sign informed consent for the RCT will be randomized at a ratio of 1:1 to:

• Oral prednisone in 25mg capsules with a dosage determined according to weight range for 7 days.
• Oral placebo capsules with the same appearance daily for 7 days.

Follow-up of RCT participants post-randomization and end of study (Figure 1, Table 2):

1. During intervention (Day 0 to 7 post-randomization):
2. A baseline questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) for state of patient health will be collected at day 0. ii. Clinical monitoring by phone call at day 3 and end of treatment (day 7). iii. C-reactive protein levels and oxygen saturation at the end of treatment (day 7) collected as described above.
3. After intervention (Week 1 to 12 post-randomization):
4. Once treatment is completed, follow up will be performed by phone calls on a weekly basis until week 12 post-randomization (end of study).
5. End of study (Week 12 post-randomization). Visit at the post-COVID clinic. i. Participants will be asked to complete the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and the Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) scale. ii. Spirometry: FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC. iii. 6-minute walking test.