Efficacy and safety of ivermectin for treatment of non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials with 7,035 participants.

INTRODUCTION: We systematically assessed benefits and harms of the use of ivermectin in non-hospitalized patients with early COVID-19. METHODS: Five databases were searched until October 17, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adult patients with COVID-19 treated with ivermectin against standard of care (SoC), placebo, or active drug. Primary outcomes were hospitalization, all-cause mortality, and adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes included mechanical ventilation (MV), clinical improvement, clinical worsening, viral clearance, and severe adverse events (SAEs). Random effects meta-analyses were performed, with quality of evidence (QoE) evaluated using GRADE methods. Pre-specified subgroup analyses (ivermectin dose, control type, risk of bias, follow-up, and country income) and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs (n = 7,035) were included. The controls were placebo in nine RCTs, SoC in two RCTs, and placebo or active drug in one RCT. Ivermectin did not reduce hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 0.81, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.64-1.03; 8 RCTs, low QoE), all-cause mortality (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.73-1.33; 9 RCTs, low QoE), or AEs (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.75-1.07; 9 RCTs, very low QoE) vs. controls. Ivermectin did not reduce MV, clinical worsening, or SAEs and did not increase clinical improvement and viral clearance vs. controls (very low QoE for secondary outcomes). Subgroup analyses were mostly consistent with main analyses, and TSA-adjusted risk for hospitalization was similar to main analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ivermectin did not have effect on clinical, non-clinical or safety outcomes versus controls. Ivermectin should not be recommended as treatment in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

[Anorectal lesions in HIV-positive patients using highly active antiretroviral therapy]. / Lesões anorretais em pacientes HIV positivos usuários de terapia anti-retroviral de alta efetividade.

Anorectal lesions are common in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has little influence on the progression of anal neoplasms. The prevalence of anorectal lesions in 88 HIV-positive patients attended at the infectious diseases service of the University Hospital of Brasília who were using HAART was studied. Sociodemographic data were collected using a pre-prepared questionnaire and then the patients underwent proctological examination. Around 71% of the patients said they practiced anal intercourse. 30.7% were using a protease inhibitor. The prevalence of anorectal lesions was 36.4%, and condyloma acuminata and anal fissure were the most frequent of these. Condyloma acuminata was the most prevalent anorectal lesion and was strongly associated with the use of lopinavir/ritonavir. Screening for anorectal lesions caused by human papillomavirus in HIV/AIDS patients who use protease inhibitors is suggested.

Lesões anorretais em pacientes HIV positivos usuários de terapia anti-retroviral de alta efetividade / Anorrectal lesions in HIV-positive patients using highly active antiretroviral therapy

As lesões anorretais são comuns nos pacientes positivos para o vírus da imunodeficiência humana. A terapia antirretroviral de alta efetividade tem pouca influência na progressão das neoplasias anais. Estudou-se a prevalência das lesões anorretais em 88 pacientes HIV positivos atendidos no serviço de doenças infecto-parasitárias do Hospital Universitário de Brasília, em uso de terapia antirretroviral de alta efetividade. Dados sócio-demográficos foram coletados usando um questionário pré-elaborado e os pacientes foram submetidos a exame proctológico. Cerca de 71 por cento relataram coito anal e 30,7 por cento estavam em uso de inibidor de protease. A prevalência das lesões anorretais foi 36,4 por cento, sendo as mais freqüentes: condiloma acuminado e fissura anal. O condiloma acuminado foi a lesão anorretal mais prevalente e teve associação com o uso de lopinavir/ritonavir. Sugere-se o rastreamento das lesões anorretais causadas pelo papilomavírus humano nos pacientes HIV positivos/AIDS em uso de inibidor de protease.

Anorectal lesions are common in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has little influence on the progression of anal neoplasms. The prevalence of anorectal lesions in 88 HIV-positive patients attended at the infectious diseases service of the University Hospital of Brasília who were using HAART was studied. Sociodemographic data were collected using a pre-prepared questionnaire and then the patients underwent proctological examination. Around 71 percent of the patients said they practiced anal intercourse. 30.7 percent were using a protease inhibitor. The prevalence of anorectal lesions was 36.4 percent, and condyloma acuminata and anal fissure were the most frequent of these. Condyloma acuminata was the most prevalent anorectal lesion and was strongly associated with the use of lopinavir/ritonavir. Screening for anorectal lesions caused by human papillomavirus in HIV/AIDS patients who use protease inhibitors is suggested.