Hydroxychloroquine and Tocilizumab in the Treatment of COVID-19: A Longitudinal Observational Study
Ramírez-García et al., Archivos de Medicina Universitaria
Ramírez-García et al., Hydroxychloroquine and Tocilizumab in the Treatment of COVID-19: A Longitudinal Observational Study, Archivos de Medicina Universitaria
Retrospective 403 hospitalized patients in Spain, showing lower mortality with treatment, however authors do not adjust for the differences between the groups. Confounding by indication is likely.
This study is excluded in the after exclusion results of meta
analysis:
excessive unadjusted differences between groups; substantial unadjusted confounding by indication likely.
Abstract: research paper
Submission date: 14/03/2021
Revision date: 24/03/2021
Acceptance date: 04/04/2021
Hydroxychloroquine and Tocilizumab in the Treatment of
COVID-19: A Longitudinal Observational Study
Ramírez-García, Guillermo1; García-Molina, Pablo2; Flor-Cremades, María Consuelo3; Muñoz-Rojas, Beatriz4;
Moleón-Moya, Javier5
Master’s Degree in Anthropology and Forensic Genetics, University of Granada (UGR)
Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, University of Granada (UGR)
3
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada (UGR)
4
Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada (UGR)
5
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada (UGR)
1
2
Abstract
Objectives
The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of hydroxychloroquine and tocilizumab at the beginning
of the COVID-19 pandemic and to describe the profile of patients who received these treatments.
Method
The medical records of 403 patients admitted for COVID-19 from March 1 to April 15, 2020 at the San
Cecilio University Hospital (Granada, Spain) were analyzed. The data collected included sex, age, days
hospitalized, previous pathologies and/or treatments, possible outcomes and drugs administered at the
hospital. Student’s t-test and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used as statistical parameters to estimate the
possible associations between the defined variables.
Results
Patients with a mean age of 66 years (standard deviation = 15.38), were hospitalized for an average of 15
days (standard deviation = 12.89). The ICU admission rate was 9.93 %, and the death rate added up to
17.37 % of the total number of patients. During the first wave of the pandemic, hydroxychloroquine was
administered to the majority of hospitalized patients, while tocilizumab was restricted to the more severe
cases.
Conclusions
The results showed two distinct trends in the use of the drugs studied. Tocilizumab was administered to
a small number of patients, mainly those with longer length of stay or with complications. Hydroxychloroquine was administered independently of the initial characteristics of patients, especially those who
presented comorbidities or took multiple medications.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, tocilizumab, hydroxychloroquine, hospitalization.
Translated by:
Asensi-Gómez, Paula6; Carbajo-García, Ana7; Cobano-Jiménez, Juan Luis8; Lenker-Andrade, Elisa9; VázquezDelgado, Iván9; Vivas-del-Torno, Elena6
Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Comillas
Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University Jaume I (UJI)
8
Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, University of Alcalá (UAH)
9
Faculty of Translation and Interpreting, University of Granada (UGR)
6
7
Late treatment is less effective
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