ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to know the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 in patients treated with long-term macrolides and to describe the factors associated with worse outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Primary Care setting. Patients with macrolides dispensed continuously from 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020, were considered. Main outcome: diagnosis of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Secondary outcomes: symptoms, severity, characteristics of patients, comorbidities, concomitant treatments. A total of 3057 patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age: 73 (64-81) years; 55% were men; 62% smokers/ex-smokers; 56% obese/overweight. Overall, 95% of patients had chronic respiratory diseases and four comorbidities as a median. Prevalence of COVID-19: 4.8%. This was in accordance with official data during the first wave of the pandemic. The most common symptoms were respiratory: shortness of breath, cough, and pneumonia. Additionally, 53% percent of patients had mild/moderate symptoms, 28% required hospital admission, and 19% died with COVID-19. The percentage of patients hospitalized and deaths were 2.6 and 5.8 times higher, respectively, in the COVID-19 group (p < 0.001). There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of long-term courses of macrolides in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection or the progression to worse outcomes in old patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases and a high burden of comorbidity.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence of Covid-19 in patients who are chronic users of hydroxychloroquine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional retrospective observational multicenter study in health areas and districts from Castilla La-Mancha and Andalucia. Of the 4451 participants included in the first recruitment, 3817 with valid data were selected. The main variable of the study is the presence or absence of Covid-19 infection by clinical, serological or polymerase chain reaction diagnosis. Sociodemographic and clinical variables and treatment and concomitant comorbidities were recorded. RESULTS: 169 (4,45%) patients had Covid-19 infection, of which 12 (7.1 %) died and 32 (18.9%) required hospital admission. Previous respiratory pathology was related to Covid-19 infection (Pâ¯<â¯.05). Maculopathy appears in 5.3% of patients and is significantly related to the dose of hydroxychloroquine consumed (Pâ¯<â¯.05). CONCLUSION: There is no relationship between chronic use of hydroxychloroquine and the incidence of Covid-19.
OBJETIVO: Analizar la incidencia de la enfermedad del coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) en pacientes consumidores crónicos de hidroxicloroquina. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio multicéntrico observacional retrospectivo transversal en Áreas de Salud de Castilla La-Mancha y distritos sanitarios de Andalucía. De los 4.451 participantes incluidos en el primer reclutamiento se seleccionaron 3.817 sujetos con datos válidos. La variable principal del estudio ha sido la presencia o ausencia de infección por la COVID-19 por diagnóstico clínico, serológico o por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Se registraron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y tratamientos y comorbilidades concomitantes. RESULTADOS: Ciento sesenta y nueve (4,45%) pacientes presentaron infección por la COVID-19, de los cuales fallecieron 12 (7,1%) y 32 (18,9%) requirieron ingreso hospitalario. La enfermedad respiratoria previa se relacionó con la infección por la COVID-19 (pâ¯<â¯0,05). La maculopatía aparece en un 5,3% de los pacientes y está relacionada significativamente con la dosis de hidroxicloroquina consumida (pâ¯<â¯0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: No existe relación entre consumo crónico de hidroxicloroquina e incidencia de la COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence of Covid-19 in patients who are chronic users of hydroxychloroquine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional retrospective observational multicenter study in health areas and districts from Castilla La-Mancha and Andalucia. Of the 4451 participants included in the first recruitment, 3817 with valid data were selected. The main variable of the study is the presence or absence of Covid-19 infection by clinical, serological or polymerase chain reaction diagnosis. Sociodemographic and clinical variables and treatment and concomitant comorbidities were recorded. RESULTS: 169 (4,45%) patients had Covid-19 infection, of which 12 (7.1%) died and 32 (18.9%) required hospital admission. Previous respiratory pathology was related to Covid-19 infection (P<.05). Maculopathy appears in 5.3% of patients and is significantly related to the dose of hydroxychloroquine consumed (P<.05). CONCLUSION: There is no relationship between chronic use of hydroxychloroquine and the incidence of Covid-19.