Belgium, not Dutch. Low-dose Hydroxychloroquine Therapy and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Nationwide Observational Study of 8075 Participants (International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 24 August)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857920303423
Background
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been largely used and investigated as therapy of COVID-19 , at total dose usually ranging from 2400 mg to 9600 mg.
In Belgium, off-label use of low-dose HCQ (2400 mg in total over five days) was recommended for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
“low-dose” regimen of HCQ sulphate in monotherapy
400mg twice on day 1
200mg twice a day from day 2 to 5
i.e. a total dose of 2400 mg
Methods
Multi-centric design
Vast majority of Belgian hospitals
Retrospective analysis
In-hospital mortality in Belgium
40 day follow up
No difference in the baseline characteristics
Groups
HCQ alone and supportive care
Supportive care only
Adjusted for demographic and clinical features
Results
8075 patients with complete discharge data
HCQ group, n = 4,542
Deaths, 804, (17.7%)
no-HCQ group, n = 3,533
Deaths, 957 (27.1%)
Multivariable analysis
Mortality was lower in the HCQ group compared to the no-HCQ group
Hazard ratio = 0.684
Estimated direct-adjusted mortality at 40 days
19.1% with HCQ alone
26.5% with supportive care only
Mortality in the HCQ group was reduced
Both in patients diagnosed in less than 5 days and more than 5 days
Conclusions
Compared to supportive care only, low-dose HCQ monotherapy was independently associated with lower mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 diagnosed and treated early or later after symptom onset.
Other positive studies
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893920302817?via%3Dihub
Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients with COVID-19 in New York City
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-020-05983-z
Hydroxychloroquine use was associated with decre..
