Procedures
PROM
ADVERSE EVENTS
The participants were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (1) 4 mg baricitinib once daily, or (2) matching placebo. Baricitinib or placebo were administered up to 14 days, and permanently stopped if the patient was discharged from hospital. Baricitinib and placebo were administered orally or by feeding tube. During the study, SoC changed in many countries as a result of updated World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines recommending tocilizumab for severe and critical COVID-19 [Participants were assessed for study data, including outcomes and adverse events on days 1 (day of inclusion), 3, 5, 8 and every 7 days if still hospitalised, thereafter until day 90, and at discharge or early discontinuation. Participants were remotely followed up after hospital discharge until day 90. At day 90, participants were asked to answer patient reported outcome measures (PROM) provided via an electronic link. Viral loads and SARS-CoV2 serology were measured centrally from samples of serum and naso/oropharyngeal swabs collected at eligible sites at pre-defined time points during hospitalisation, see Additional file 