Efficacy of ivermectin in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia with severe and critically ill status

ABSTRACT

Aim The aim was to assess the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia with severe and critically ill status. Patients and methods This retrospective study was performed on 50 patients admitted in ICU and high-dependency unit of Ibrahim Bin Hamad Hospital, United Arab Emirate. All patients were subjected to the following on admission careful history taking, general and local examinations, routine laboratory studies (complete blood count, liver function tests, and kidney function tests), other laboratory tests such as C-reactive protein and D-dimer, and chest radiography. All patients received ivermectin in doses of 0.2 mg/kg on first and third days. Results The age range of the studied group was from 35 and 107 years, with a mean age of 61.8±14.07 years. The sex distribution of the studied group was 29 (58%) males and 21 (42%) females. The clinical condition deteriorated in 18 (36%) patients, improved in eight (16%) patients, and remained the same in 24 (48%) patients. Three (6%) patients had bronchial asthma, eight (16%) patients had chronic kidney disease, 20 (40%) patients had diabetes mellitus, 20 (40%) patients had hypertension, two (2%) patients had hypothyroidism, seven (14%) patients had ischemic heart disease, and 14 (28%) patients did not have any comorbidities. Regarding the progress of patients' symptoms, shortness of breath deteriorated in 18 (36%) patients, improved in eight (16%) patients, and remained the same in 24 (48%) patients. The cough symptom deteriorated in 18 (36%) patients, improved in eight (16%) patients, and remained the same in 24 (48%) patients. Radiology (chest radiograph) showed deterioration in 18 (36%) patients, improvement in eight (16%) patients, and remained the same in 24 (48%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference before and after using ivermectin with respect to temperature (P=0.058), pulse (P=0.101), respiratory rate (P=0.054), white blood cell count (P=0.058), lymphocyte count (P=0.09), C-reactive protein (P=0.177), and D-dimer (P=0.087). Conclusion The use of ivermectin did not significantly improve resolution of symptoms, outcome, radiology, or laboratory markers. The findings do not support the use of ivermectin for treatment of severe coronavirus disease 2019.