A comprehensive strategy for the early treatment of COVID-19 with azithromycin/hydroxychloroquine and/or corticosteroids: Results of a retrospective observational study in the French overseas department of Réunion Island. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dubernet, Arthur; Larsen, Kevin; Masse, Laurie; Allyn, Jérôme; Foch, Emilie; Bruneau, Lea; Maillot, Adrien; Lagrange-Xelot, Marie; Thomas, Vincent; Jaffar-Bandjee, Marie-Christine; Gauzere, Loraine; Raffray, Loic; Borsu, Karine; Dibernardo, Servane; Renaud, Stéphane; André, Michel; Moreau, Diane; Jabot, Julien; Coolen-Allou, Nathalie; Allou, Nicolas
• Is Part Of: Journal of global antimicrobial resistance. Volume 23(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 3
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Hydroxychloroquine -- Azithromycin -- Corticosteroids; Drug resistance -- Periodicals; Drug resistance -- Periodicals; Drug resistance; Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-7165

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of COVID-19 patients in Reunion Island, with a particular focus on the management of patients with hypoxemic pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted from 11 March to 17 April 2020 at the only hospital authorized to manage patients with COVID-19 in Reunion Island. Results: Over the study period, 164 out of 398 patients (41.2%) infected with COVID-19 were admitted to Félix Guyon University Hospital. Of these, 36 (22%) developed hypoxemic pneumonia. Patients with hypoxemic pneumonia were aged 66 [56–77] years, 69% were male and 33% had hypertension. Ten patients (27.8%) were hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU). Hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin treatment was associated with a lower ICU admission rate ( P = 0.008). None of the 6 patients treated with corticosteroids were hospitalized in ICU ( P = 0.16). There were no deaths at follow up (minimum 80 days). Conclusions: Despite the risk profile of COVID-19 patients with severe hypoxemic pneumonia, the mortality rate of the disease in Reunion Island was 0%. This may be due to the care bundle used in our hospital (early hospitalisation, treatment with hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin and/or corticosteroids, non-invasive respiratory support, etc).