Short term survival of critically ill COVID-19 Egyptian patients on assisted ventilation treated by either Dexamethasone or Tocilizumab
Alaa Rashad, Sherif Abdo Mousa, Hanaa Nafady‐Hego, Asmaa Nafady, Hamed Elgendy
Abstract
Abstract Tocilizumab (TCZ) and Dexamethasone are used for the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients. We compared the short-term survival of critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with either TCZ or Dexamethasone. 109 critically ill COVID-19 patients randomly assigned to either TCZ therapy (46 patients) or pulse Dexamethasone therapy (63 patients). Age, sex, neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio, D-dimer, ferritin level, and CT chest pattern were comparable between groups. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed better survival in Dexamethasone group compared with TCZ ( P = 0.002), patients didn’t need vasopressor at admission ( P < 0.0001), patients on non-invasive ventilation compared to patients on mechanical ventilation ( P<0.0001 ), and in patients with ground glass pattern in CT chest ( P<0.0001 ) compared with those who have consolidation. Cox regression analysis showed that, TCZ therapy (HR = 2.162, 95% CI, 1.144–4.087, P <0.0001) compared with Dexamethasone group, higher neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio (HR = 2.40, CI, 1.351–4.185, P = 0.003), lower PaO 2 /FiO 2 , 2 days after treatment, (HR = 1.147, 95% CI, 1.002–1.624, P < 0.0001) independently predicted higher probability of mortality. Dexamethasone showed better survival in severe COVID-19 compared to TCZ. Considering the risk factors mentioned here is crucial when dealing with severe COVID-19 cases. Clinical trial registration No clinicalTrials.gov: Nal protocol approved by Hospital Authorities, for data collection and for participation in CT04519385 (19/08/2020).