RESUMO
OBJECTIVESTo assess the efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma plus standard of care (CP + SoC) compared with standard of care (SoC) alone in patients hospitalized for moderate to severe COVID-19 who do not yet require mechanical ventilation. METHODSPhase 2 randomized, parallel-group, randomized, open-label, controlled, superiority, single-center clinical trial. This clinical trial has been registered in REPEC with the following ID: 013-20. Hospitalized adult patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 were enrolled. The allocation ratio was 1:1 in a variable-size permuted block randomization scheme. The primary outcome was death 28 days after the intervention. Secondary outcomes were mortality at 14 and 56 days, time to death at 56 days, time in the ICU at 28 days, time on a mechanical ventilator at 28 days, frequency of adverse events, and frequency of serious adverse events. RESULTSA total of 64 participants were enrolled, 32 were assigned to CP + SoC, and 32 to SoC. One participant assigned to CP + SoC withdrew his informed consent before applying the treatment. At day 28, there were no statistically significant differences for the primary outcome between the CP + SoC and SoC groups (relative risk: 2.06; 95%CI 0.73 to 7.11; p = 0.190). No differences were found in the incidences of mortality at 56 days (hazard ratio: 2.21; 95%CI 0.66 to 7.33; p = 0.182), admission to the ICU at 28 days (sub-hazard ratio: 2.06; 95%CI 0.57 to 8.55; p = 0.250), admission to mechanical ventilation at 28 days (sub-hazard ratio: 2.19; 95%CI 0.57 to 8.51; p = 0.260). Estimates for days 14 were similar. No infusion-related adverse events were reported during the study. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of any adverse events (odds ratio: 2.74; 95%CI 0.90 to 9.10; p = 0.085) or the frequency of serious adverse events (odds ratio: 3.60; 95%CI 0.75 to 26.1; p = 0.75). CONCLUSIONSNo evidence was found that CP had a significant effect in reducing 28-day mortality. There was also no evidence that the frequency of adverse events was higher in those who received CP + SoC than those who received only SoC.
RESUMO
ObjectivesTo know and explore from convalescent plasma donators voices the experience in the blood donation process at a Peruvian social security hospital. MethodsQualitative study with a phenomenological design. The investigation was carried out in 01 hospitals of the social security of Peru. Semi-structured interviews were carried out. ResultsEleven donors of convalescent plasma were interviewed. The main motivations for donating were being able to contribute to national research and supporting patients affected by COVID-19. Fears focus on the possible risk of contagion within the hospital. Donors emphasised the attention and support of health personnel alongside the donation procedure. The main expectations and suggestions point towards greater dissemination of donation campaigns with special emphasis on safety. Likewise, an improvement in the time of the donation procedure (from enrolment to the extraction of convalescent plasma), and the implementation of friendly spaces to encourage future blood donation campaigns were highlighted. ConclusionsThe experience of the convalescent plasma donors was positive. However, improvements must be made in terms of processes and infrastructure to ensure future successful blood donation campaigns.
