ABSTRACT
Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients frequently suffer from long-term sequelae, often called 'long COVID' or 'post COVID-19 condition'. Remdesivir, given in early disease, decreases the risk of hospitalization and potentially mortality. No randomized trials have thus far published long-term follow-up data on any COVID-19 drug treatment. We investigated the effects of remdesivir on a range of patient-important outcomes at one year. Methods. Between July 2020 and January 2021, an open-label randomized multicenter trial in Finland recruited 208 adult patients from 11 Finnish hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to standard of care (SoC)with remdesivir (median duration of remdesivir treatment 5 days) or SoCalone. Primary outcomes were self-reported recovery, exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and quality of life at one year. Secondary outcomes were overall mortality and several potential long-COVID symptoms. Results. At one year, 5 (4.4%) of 114 patients in the remdesivir and 5 (5.3%) of 94 in the SoC group had died (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.25-2.76;absolute difference: -0.9%, 95% CI -7.9-5.3);181 (92% of survivors) completed the follow-up. Self-reported recovery (fully or largely) occurred in 85% in remdesivir and in 86% in SoC (RR 0.94, 0.47-1.90;absolute difference: -0.9%, 95% CI -11%-10%). Exertional dyspnea occurred in 5% in remdesivir and 8% in SoC (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.20-1.85;absolute difference -3.3%, 95% CI -12%-4.4%). We found no convincing difference between remdesivir and SoC groups in quality of life or symptom outcomes (p > 0.05 for all). Of the 21 potential long-COVID symptoms, patients often reported moderate or major bother from fatigue (26%), joint pain (22%), persistent respiratory mucus (21%), and problems with memory (19%) and attention/concentration (18%) (Figure). Bother from potential long-COVID symptoms at one year from COVID-19 hospitalization between the standard of care and standard of care plus remdesivir groups. Conclusion. After a one-year follow-up of hospitalized patients (with a very high participation rate), approximately one in four reported substantial bother from fatigue, and one in six reported that they had not recovered well from COVID-19. We found no convincing evidence of a remdesivir effect, but confidence intervals were wide and included possible substantial benefit and substantial harm.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Isolation precautions are essential prevent spread of COVID-19 infection but may have a negative impact on inpatient care. The impact of these measures on non-COVID-19 patients remains largely unexplored. AIM: This study aimed to investigate diagnostic and treatment delays related to isolation precautions, the associated patient outcome, and the predisposing risk factors for delays. METHODS: This observational study was conducted in seven Helsinki region hospitals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland. The study used data on all non-COVID-19 inpatients, who were initially isolated due to suspected COVID-19, to estimate whether isolation precautions resulted in diagnostic or treatment delays. RESULTS: Out of 683 non-COVID-19 patients, 33 (4.8%) had delays related to isolation precautions. Clinical condition deteriorated non-fatally in seven (1.0%) patients. The following events were associated with an increased risk of treatment or a diagnostic delay: more than three ward transfers (P = 0.025); referral to an incorrect speciality in the emergency department (P = 0.004); more than three SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests performed (P = 0.022); and where cancer was the final diagnosis (P = 0.018). In contrast, lower respiratory tract symptoms (P = 0.013) decreased the risk. CONCLUSIONS: The use of isolation precautions for patients who did not have COVID-19 had minor negative effects on patient outcomes. The present study underlines the importance of targeting diagnostic efforts to patients with unspecified symptoms and to those with a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. Thorough investigations to achieve an accurate diagnosis improves the prognosis of patients and facilitates appropriate targeting of hospital resources.