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Preliminary analysis on efficacy of ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir on disease progression among high-risk hospitalised COVID-19 patients: a retrospective case-control study

S. Lee, C. H. Chuah, W.-Y. Mak, J. W. Tan, J. Lee, F. N. Bidin, K. Leong, P. Wong et al.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023

200 participants

Abstract

Intro Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir has shown efficacy in reducing the rate of hospitalisation and 28-day mortality among unvaccinated populations with COVID-19. The role of Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir among high risk hospitalised COVID-19 patients remained uncertain. Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir in reducing disease progression among high-risk hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Methods This is a retrospective case-control study (ratio 1:1) among hospitalised COVID-19 patients with mild-moderate severity, within 5 days of illness, and had at least one risk factor for severe disease. Treatment group (case) received Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir twice daily for 5 days. Historical controls before the introduction of Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir were obtained in the same hospital. Both groups received standard of care. The primary outcome was rate of clinical progression from non-hypoxia to hypoxia. Findings 200 patients from January to July 2022 were included in the analysis, where 108 (54%) were male, mean age of 63.7 (SD 17.1), 95% completed primary COVID-19 vaccination and 91 (45.5%) had evidence of pneumonia (moderate severity). Most common comorbids were hypertension(65%), diabetes mellitus(40%) and overweight(36%). Clinical progression to hypoxia was significantly lower in the treatment group (4%) compared to the control group (18%) (OR=0.190, 95% CI: 0.0618 - 0.583). Comparing case to control, the rates of ICU admission were 1%…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 200 participants or records.

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