Drug Design, Development and Therapy (Jan 2023)
The Benefits of Molnupiravir Treatment in Healthcare Facilities Patients with COVID-19
Abstract
Shih-Lung Cheng,1,2 Ping-Huai Wang,1 Cheng-Yu Chang,1 Hsu-Hui Wang,1 Chung-Jen Wang,1 Kuan-Ming Chiu2,3 1Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 220, Taiwan; 2The Graduate Institute of Medicine, Yuan-Ze University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan; 3Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 220, TaiwanCorrespondence: Kuan-Ming Chiu, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, No. 21, Section 2, Nanya S. Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, 220, Taiwan, Tel +886-2-89667000, Email [email protected]: Molnupiravir (MOL) is an oral antiviral medication that has recently been treated for COVID-19.Objectively: We perform a prospective and observational study to elucidate the efficacy and safety of MOL in healthcare patients with COVID-19.Materials and Methods: A observational, non-randomized study of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in 46 healthcare facilities and treated with MOL started within 5 days after the onset of signs or symptoms. We recorded data for all patients, including demographic data, clinical features, and symptoms. Treatment response was classified into cure, stable, hospitalization and death. Multivariate analysis was performed with stepwise logistic regression for hospitalization and death risk factors.Results: In total, 856 patients were diagnosed as having COVID-19 and treated with MOL during the study period. Of those, 496 patients (57.9%) were cured, 256 patients (29.9%) in stable condition, 104 patients (12.2%) hospitalized, and 22 patients (2.6%) died, respectively. There was significant effectiveness (87.8%) in COVID-19 patients using MOL. Multivariate analysis was performed to confirm the risk factors for hospitalization and death and included elder age (> 80 years old) (odds ratio (OR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1– 6.9), old cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (OR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.3– 9.9), the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.2– 9.1) and chronic respiratory diseases (OR=2.4, 95% (CI): 1.3– 8.1).Limitations: This is an observational study, neither randomized study nor control group study.Conclusion: Initial treatment with MOL has the treatment benefits and is well tolerated for patients with COVID-19 in healthcare facilities. Older age, old CVA, DM, and chronic respiratory diseases were independent risk factors for hospitalization and mortality. The results demonstrate there are important clinical benefits of MOL beyond the reduction in hospitalization or death for these patients with more comorbidities in Taiwan.Keywords: molnupiravir, COVID-19, healthcare facility, clinical benefit, hospitalization, comorbidity
