ABSTRACT
Background: Data on the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the epidemiology and outcomes of hematological malignancies are limited. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the imaging findings using chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with hematologic malignancies who developed COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective study included two groups, the first group consisted of COVID-19 infected patients with hematologic malignancies (100 patients), while the second group consisted of COVID-19 infected patients without hematologic malignancies or other comorbidities (100 patients). The hematological malignancies included in this study were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (40 patients), acute myeloid leukemia (25 patients), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (15 patients), multiple myeloma (10 patients), Hodgkin's lymphoma (8 patients), and myelodysplastic syndrome (2 patients). Chest multidetector CT imaging was performed in all patients to assess for ground-glass opacity, consolidation, pleural effusion, and airway abnormalities. Results: More than one CT finding was reported in each patient. No significant difference was observed in the ground-glass opacities (P=0.0594), nodule formation (P=0.2278), or airway thickening/dilatation (P=0.0566) between the two groups; meanwhile, a significant difference was observed in the degree of consolidation, the number of lobes affected, and pleural effusion (P=0.0001) as well as in the total lung severity (P=0.0001); minimal, mild, and severe affection rates; and (P=0.0047) moderate affection rates. Conclusion: Early and reliable diagnosis of lung disease in COVID-19-infected patients may be achieved through multidetector CT imaging. Patients with hematological malignancies are more likely to have severe COVID-19 pneumonia, and radiologists should recognize the CT characteristics of this infection.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Limited experimental and clinical evidence suggests a potential role for sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in treating COVID19. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of generic sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in treating COVID-19 patients with pneumonia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This multicenter prospective study involved 174 patients with COVID-19. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group A (96 patients) received sofosbuvir (400 mg)/daclatasvir (60 mg) for 14 days in combination with conventional therapy. Group B (78 patients) received conventional therapy alone. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were collected at baseline, after 7, 14, and 28 days of therapy. Primary endpoint was rate of clinical/virological cure. RESULTS: A lower mortality rate was observed in group (A) (14% vs 21%, P = 0.07). After 1 month of therapy, no differences were found in rates of ICU admission, oxygen therapy, or ventilation. Additionally, a statistically significant shorter duration of hospital stay (9% vs 12%, P < 0.01) and a faster achievement of PCR negativity at day 14 (84% versus 47%, P < 0.01) were noticed in group (A). CONCLUSION: Adding sofosbuvir/daclatasvir to conventional therapy of COVID-19 is promising. Their use is associated with shorter hospital stay, faster PCR negativity and may be reduced mortality.