ABSTRACT
Background. COVID-19 disease is the cause of daily morbidity and mortality worldwide due to its high transmissibility and pathogenicity. To date, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) injection has been used as one of the various treatments for this disease. This study aimed to determine the effect of IVIg injection on the treatment of patients with Coronavirus-induced cytokine storm. Methods. A total of 174 patients with COVID-19 were included in this study based on their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings and were divided into two groups of IVIg recipients and non-recipients according to the treatment they received. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. IVIg was used to treat merely 20 patients and Kaletra and hemoperfusion drugs were used more among IVIg recipient patients (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively). COVID-19-positive PCR tests were significantly more frequent among IVIg recipients (P=0.026). The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count (P=0.007) and sodium level (P=0.007) were significantly higher in the IVIg recipient group on the first admission day. Moreover, INR levels in the IVIg recipient group were significantly lower on the seventh admission day (P=0.020). The median of total intensive care unit (ICU) duration of hospitalization among IVIg recipients was significantly higher (P=0.001). Conclusion. It seems that the use of IVIg in COVID-19 patients should be further investigated. Practical Implications. IVIg injection could decrease mortality and slightly increase the survival rate among COVID-19 patients. © 2022 The Authors.
ABSTRACT
Background. The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic. There is an urgent need for finding efficient medical treatments to diminish the high mortality rate of the mutant variants of the virus. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of edaravone in patients with moderate COVID-19. Methods. This single-center non-randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19. The patients were divided into two groups of intervention (n=17) and control (n=16). Patients in the intervention group received three doses of edaravone (30 mg) for three interval days (Days 2, 4, and 6). Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for intubation, and mortality were the primary outcomes. Results. All cases had 15-60% lung involvement. Although edaravone reduced the admission to ICU, need for intubation, and mortality rate in patients with moderate COVID-19, the results were not statistically significant. Baseline characteristics, admission days, and clinical parameters were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion. Administration of edaravone 30 mg for three days had no significant effect on the overall outcome of patients with moderate COVID-19. Practical Implications. In this study, none of the COVID-19 patients receiving edaravone had ICU admission, intubation, and mortality. However, no significant difference was found between the clinical outcomes of the control and intervention groups. © 2022 The Authors.