People in Kent have contributed to research that has found an exciting treatment for coronavirus - which could reduce the risk of patient death by 20%.

Patients, NHS trusts and research teams across the county have contributed important data to the new study, which shows that corticosteroids - steroid hormones, often used to reduce inflammation and conditions such as asthma - can significantly improve outcomes for those who are severely ill with Covid-19.

Research papers published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) today reinforce evidence that these inexpensive and widely available drugs improve outcomes for the most critically-ill patients with the disease.

A total of 39 people from Kent, Surrey and Sussex enrolled to take part in the vital, practice-changing study, at nine hospitals across the region.

The results from the trial - named the REMAP-CAP trial - show a high probability that among critically-ill patients with Covid-19, treatment with a seven-day course of hydrocortisone improved outcomes such as survival and more rapid recovery.

Another paper, co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and led by researchers at the University of Bristol and the National Institute for Health Research’s (NIHR) Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, concludes that corticosteroids can reduce the risk of death in the most ill patients by up to 20%.

Dr Ian White, consultant intensivist and anaesthetist and principal investigator for the trial at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "This trial has shown a dynamic approach to patient care during the pandemic. It is great to see, at this stage, positive results coming from the trial team.

"The delivery of REMAP-CAP was a real team effort between doctors, researchers, nurses, the blood bank, and pathology to ensure that this trial was offered to patients. We are continuing this work to make certain that we can find better treatments for our patients.”

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer, said: “These findings offer further evidence that corticosteroids can be an important part of COVID-19 treatment for severe patients.

"Both the REMAP-CAP and the Bristol University papers show the important work that has been done here in the UK by researchers in making further major contributions towards the international evidence.

"It is impressive to see so many UK participants willing to take part in studies, and able to volunteer due to the rapid recruitment response of the NIHR’s Clinical Research Network. Research such as this, will make the difference in controlling this virus.”

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