>>8698668
Efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in patients with COVID-19: results of a randomized clinical trial
Abstract
Aims: Studies have indicated that chloroquine (CQ) shows antagonism against COVID-19 in vitro.
However, evidence regarding its effects in patients is limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy
of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
Main methods: From February 4 to February 28, 2020, 62 patients suffering from COVID-19 were
diagnosed and admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. All participants were randomized in
a parallel-group trial, 31 patients were assigned to receive an additional 5-day HCQ (400 mg/d)
treatment, Time to clinical recovery (TTCR), clinical characteristics, and radiological results were
assessed at baseline and 5 days after treatment to evaluate the effect of HCQ.
Key findings: For the 62 COVID-19 patients, 46.8% (29 of 62) were male and 53.2% (33 of 62) were
female, the mean age was 44.7 (15.3) years. No difference in the age and sex distribution between the
control group and the HCQ group. But for TTCR, the body temperature recovery time and the cough is
remission time were significantly shortened in the HCQ treatment group. Besides, a larger proportion
of patients with improved pneumonia in the HCQ treatment group (80.6%, 25 of 31) compared with the
control group (54.8%, 17 of 31). Notably, all 4 patients progressed to severe illness that occurred in the
control group. However, there were 2 patients with mild adverse reactions in the HCQ treatment group.
Significance: Among patients with COVID-19, the use of HCQ could significantly shorten TTCR and
promote the absorption of pneumonia.
"I'm not a doctor, but I have common sense" ~ DJT, POTUS 4/5/20