Testing IL-6 Guided Treatment with Dexamethasone or Tocilizumab in Adults Hospitalized for Acute Respiratory Symptoms

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying acute hypoxemic respiratory failure AHRF, a condition where the lungs cannot absorb enough oxygen, leading to serious complications like multi-organ failure and death. This study aims to test a treatment approach guided by measuring blood levels of the inflammatory marker Interleukin-6 IL-6 in patients admitted with AHRF. Elevated IL-6 levels may predict worsening conditions, enabling early intervention to potentially prevent severe outcomes. Participants will have their plasma IL-6 measured over two days. Those with high IL-6 will be randomly assigned to one of three groups standard care alone standard care plus a single intravenous infusion of Tocilizumab or standard care plus daily oral Dexamethasone for up to 10 days or until hospital discharge. Patients will be observed until discharge or for 28 days, followed by a phone interview six months later. During the study, researchers will measure recruitment rates, adherence to treatment, time to treatment initiation, and other clinical outcomes like mortality, organ failure, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation need, hospital stay length, and quality of life at six months. Safety monitoring for complications related to steroids or Tocilizumab is included. The total participation spans from enrollment through a 28-day observation and a six-month follow-up.

Interleukin-6 Guided Treatment With Dexamethasone or Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Symptoms - a Feasibility Study