Results of Favipiravir Combined Treatment in Intensive Care Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Objective:Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that has already taken place in human history. Although there is still no effective treatment protocol, different treatment options are being tried. In this study, it was aimed to determine the basic characteristics and changes in laboratory findings of patients who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19 in the intensive care unit and underwent treatment protocol containing favipiravir.Method:It was carried out with the data of 179 inpatients in an intensive care unit between 01.06.2020 and 30.06.2020. The inclusion criteria of the study were to have a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test, to be hospitalized in the intensive care unit, to be receiving therapy combined with favipravir and to have access to its data through the automation system. According to literature, the socio-demographic characteristics, some basic characteristics and some laboratory findings of the patients were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 (IBM Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA).Results:The average age of the study group was 60.9±16.4 years and 65.9% (n=118) of them were male. According to the clinical classification, more than half (50.8%, n=91) were included in the ‘‘high’’ clinical classification. The most common chronic disease was "hypertension (HT)" (42.5%, n=76) and the most common symptom was ‘‘fever’’ (57.5%, n=103). While 82.7% (n=148) had widespread computed tomography findings, C-reactive protein (CPR) positivity rate was 65.4% (n=117). Statistically significant difference was detected among three measurements of blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, CRP between during admisson, the 1st and the 3rd days.Conclusion:Favipiravir demonstrates a proper safety profile. However, its side effects including teratogenicity, hyperuricemia and QTc (corrected QT interval) prolongation have not yet been adequately studied. It may be safe and tolerable in short-term use, but more evidence is needed to assess the longer-term effects of treatment.

Keywords

• covid-19
• favipiravir
• laboratory findings
• side effect
• treatment