Study finds: Hydroxychloroquine reduces COVID-19 deaths.
Hydroxychloroquine Combination Reduces COVID-19 Deaths, Study Finds
A new study reveals that COVID-19 patients who received a combination of hydroxychloroquine and another drug while hospitalized had a lower mortality rate compared to those who did not receive the treatment.
Hydroxychloroquine, a widely used medication for malaria and arthritis, was administered to hundreds of COVID-19 patients in Belgium, while thousands of others did not receive the drug.
The study, conducted at AZ Groeninge Hospital in Kortrijk, Belgium, analyzed records from 352 adults who tested positive for COVID-19 or showed signs of the virus on CT scans. Patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination with azithromycin, an antibiotic. Before and after treatment, patients underwent scans to monitor their condition.
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The results of the record analysis were compared to a control group of 3,533 COVID-19 patients who did not receive hydroxychloroquine but received standard care. After 28 days, the mortality rate among those treated with hydroxychloroquine was 16.7%, lower than the 25.9% in the control group.
Even after adjusting for age and other factors, the study found that patients who received hydroxychloroquine had a higher survival rate.
“Our study suggests that, despite the controversy surrounding its use, treatment with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin remains a viable option,” stated Dr. Gert Meeus, a nephrologist at AZ Groeninge Hospital.
The study, published in the journal New Microbes and New Infections, acknowledges the limitations of its retrospective nature and differences between the treatment and control groups. The authors declared no conflicts of interest or funding.
While the research adds to the existing data on hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness against COVID-19, other studies have yielded conflicting results. Some studies have shown a lower mortality rate among hydroxychloroquine recipients, particularly when combined with azithromycin. However, other studies have found no evidence of its effectiveness.
Hydroxychloroquine has been the subject of retracted studies, and although it is approved by the FDA, the agency has advised against its use for COVID-19 since mid-2020. Belgian regulators also rescinded authorization for its use in June 2020.
Dosage Issue?
Proponents of hydroxychloroquine argue that the dosage and timing of administration are crucial factors in studying its effects on COVID-19. The Belgian researchers used a lower dosage of the drug, along with azithromycin, which they believe contributed to the positive outcomes observed in their study.
Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of hydroxychloroquine, but Dr. Meeus remains optimistic about its effectiveness.
“HCQ is not a panacea, and of course, further research needs to be done. But look, we have followed the protocol as it was originally prescribed in Belgium. A study in early 2020 also showed that HCQ led to lower mortality. If the results of our study confirm this again, we think it is very plausible that the drug has helped quite a few patients,” Dr. Meeus explained.
What was the outcome of the study in terms of the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients who were treated with a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin?
Dy’s findings contradict previous studies that suggested hydroxychloroquine may not be effective in treating COVID-19. One such study, published in The Lancet in May 2020, claimed that hydroxychloroquine increased the risk of death in COVID-19 patients. However, this study was later retracted due to concerns about the reliability of the data.
The controversy surrounding hydroxychloroquine stems from the politicization of the drug. Former US President Donald Trump touted its potential as a treatment for COVID-19, while other experts and health organizations expressed skepticism.
However, the new study from AZ Groeninge Hospital provides evidence that hydroxychloroquine, when combined with another drug, can lower the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients. The combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin showed promising results in this study.
It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19. This study only analyzed a small sample size, and further clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings.
Despite the limitations, the study’s findings offer hope for COVID-19 patients and healthcare providers. If further research confirms the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in combination with other drugs, it could become a valuable tool in the fight against the pandemic.
In conclusion, the new study conducted at AZ Groeninge Hospital in Belgium suggests that a combination of hydroxychloroquine and another drug reduces the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients. These findings contradict previous studies and provide a potential treatment option for healthcare providers. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19.
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