COVID-19 study proves that ivermectin is ineffective

Recent studies published in New England Journal of Medicine We investigated the effects of the anthelmintic drug ivermectin as an early treatment option for patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 2019.

Widespread use of the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome has played an important role in controlling the mortality and morbidity caused by COVID-19. However, various reports of reduced efficacy of these vaccines have required the identification and development of effective COVID-19 treatments.

study: Effect of early treatment with ivermectin in Covid-19 patients.. Image credit: NIAID

About research

This study was evaluated Effectiveness of Ivermectin, which prevents the progression of COVID-19, and the associated hospitalization of outpatients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

The team designed and conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, adaptive platform study with local public health authorities in Brazil to test potential therapies using the Master Protocol. This master protocol has defined future decision criteria for discontinuing useless interventions, discontinuing interventions for placebo advantage, or adding new interventions.

The patient visited an outpatient facility within 7 days of the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms and was 18 years of age or older. Eligible patients also belong to the age group over 50 years and are involved in the progression of COVID-19, including reporting comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, smoking, lung disease, obesity, organ transplantation, and chronicity. Meet at least one criterion. Get kidney disease, immunosuppressive therapy, cancer diagnosis within the last 6 months, or cancer-related chemotherapy.

The team quickly tested the participants’ SARS-CoV-2 antigen According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we tested and collected data on medical history, comorbidities, concomitant medications, previous COVID-19 exposure, and patient clinical progression scores. Patients also needed to complete the Patient Reporting Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global 10 Health Scale. Recruited patients were randomly assigned to receive ivermectin or placebo between March 23, 2021 and August 6, 2021. The study protocol specified a 3-day dose of ivermectin and placebo.

The main results of this study were defined as (1) COVID-19-related hospitalization within 28 days of study initiation, or (2) clinical observation of participants within 6 hours or more within 28 days of COVID-19. It was a clinical deterioration. Since the start of the test.

Secondary results of the study included (1) SARS-CoV-2 clearance assessed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on days 3 and 7 of the study, and (2) cause. , (3) The period from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization, (4) The period of hospitalization, (5) The period until an emergency visit lasting 6 hours or more is required, (6) The time to clinical recovery, (7) Death for any reason, (8) time to death, (9) required ventilator, (10) number of days required for ventilator, and (11) quality of life for health.

result

The study results showed that of the 10,467 outpatients screened for the study, 679 were treated with ivermectin and 679 were treated with placebo. The median age of both cohorts was 49 years, with 58.2% of patients being female.

In the ivermectin-treated group, 14.7% of patients showed a primary outcome event compared to 16.3% of patients in the placebo group. The most common event of the major outcomes of the ivermectin population was hospitalization, as observed in 81.0% of patients. Primary outcome events were also observed 5 days after the median start of the study.

In addition, the team found no substantial difference between the ivermectin-treated and placebo-treated groups regarding virus clearance on day 7. Recruitment and hospitalization, and the number of days spent in hospitalization.

In addition, the team stated that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of time to clinical recovery, risk of death, days required for ventilation, or time to death. In addition, there was no difference between the ivermectin and placebo groups in the PROMIS Global-10 score or the psychological factor score. In addition, no significant differences between the groups were observed in the adverse events that occurred during the study period.

Conclusion

The results of the study showed that Ibermectin treatment did not cause a significant difference in the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or the time spent in emergency department observations among outpatients infected with COVID-19. ..