4/15 Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis study (treated before exposed to the virus)
et al., Rheumatology, doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keab348 (Peer Reviewed)
Risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in rheumatic patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or other conventional DMARDs in Italy
Risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in rheumatic patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or other conventional DMARDs in Italy
Retrospective database analysis case control study of rheumatic patients. When compared with other cDMARDs, HCQ users had significantly lower hospitalization, however there was no significant difference in mortality. Results differ significantly from previous studies, for example showing mortality OR 0.94 [0.83-1.06] for patients with rheumatic disease and mortality OR 0.88 [0.74-1.05] for patients with RA/SLE. Other research shows that the risk of COVID-19 for systemic autoimmune disease patients is much higher overall.
Effect extraction follows pre-specified rules prioritizing more serious outcomes. For an individual study the most serious outcome may have a smaller number of events and lower statistical signficance, however this provides the strongest evidence for the most serious outcomes when combining the results of many trials.
Alegiani et al., 4/15/2021, retrospective, case control, database analysis, Italy, Europe, peer-reviewed, 16 authors.
risk of death, 8.0% higher, RR 1.08, p = 0.64, HCQ vs. other cDMARDs, RR approximated with OR.
risk of hospitalization, 18.0% lower, RR 0.82, p = 0.03, HCQ vs. other cDMARDs, RR approximated with OR.
risk of death, 19.0% higher, RR 1.19, p = 0.32, HCQ vs. MTX, RR approximated with OR.
risk of hospitalization, 12.0% lower, RR 0.88, p = 0.17, HCQ vs. MTX, RR approximated with OR.
Effect extraction follows pre-specified rules prioritizing more serious outcomes. For an individual study the most serious outcome may have a smaller number of events and lower statistical signficance, however this provides the strongest evidence for the most serious outcomes when combining the results of many trials.
Please send us corrections, updates, or comments. Vaccines and treatments are both extremely valuable and complementary. All
practical, effective, and safe means should be used. Elimination of COVID-19
is a race against viral evolution. No treatment, vaccine, or intervention is
100% available and effective for all current and future variants. Denying the
efficacy of any method increases the risk of COVID-19 becoming endemic; and
increases mortality, morbidity, and collateral damage. We do not provide
medical advice. Before taking any medication, consult a qualified physician
who can provide personalized advice and details of risks and benefits based
on your medical history and situation. Treatment protocols for physicians are
available from the FLCCC.