Original The role of hydroxychloroquine in high-risk individuals with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to compare the symptoms and the severity of the illness among positive Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) high-risk individuals with or without the prophylactic use of hydroxychlo-roquine (HCQ). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. A total of 485 high-risk individuals with possible exposure to COVID-19 were enrolled in the study. The data were collected through a pre-designed self-repor ting questionnaire inquiring about the individual's history, baseline characteristics, COVID-19 associated risk factors, exposure history, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antibody screening results, HCQ drug dosage, and adverse effects. The COVID-19 symptoms and the severity of the illness were also recorded. The individuals were divided into two groups as per the HCQ intake, i.e. users and non-users, and compared for statistical significance. The data of 121 PCR positive COVID-19 individuals were also compared between the two groups. Results: Out of 485 individuals, 264 (54.4%) were HCQ users. All the study demographics were comparable in both study groups. The study revealed that the COVID-19 positive cases were significantly less reported in the HCQ user group than in the non-HCQ user group (40.3% vs. 58.5%;P-value = 0.004). Of these 121 COVID-19 positive cases, shortness of breath (11.6%), anosmia (13%) and the severity of the illness requiring hospitalization (14.5%) were profound among non-HCQ users as compared to those who were prophylactically receiving HCQ. No serious side-effects were reported by the HCQ users. Conclusion: Voluntary pre-exposure HCQ administration significantly reduces the severity of illness, both symptomatic and radiological, among COVID-19 positive individuals.