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[Incidence of COVID-19 in patients under chronic treatment with hydroxychloroquine]
Francisco Tejada Cifuentes1, Ángeles Lloret Callejo1, María José Tirado Peláez1
1Gerencia de Atención Integrada de Albacete, Albacete, España.
Insights
Chronic hydroxychloroquine use did not correlate with COVID-19 incidence. This study found no link between long-term hydroxychloroquine use and COVID-19 infection rates in patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hydroxychloroquine has been investigated for its potential role in managing viral infections.
- Understanding the impact of chronic medication use on disease incidence is crucial for public health.
- Previous research on hydroxychloroquine and viral infections has yielded mixed results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of COVID-19 in patients with chronic hydroxychloroquine use.
- To determine if long-term hydroxychloroquine treatment affects the likelihood of contracting COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective observational study was conducted.
- Data from 3817 participants with valid records were analyzed.
- COVID-19 infection was diagnosed via clinical, serological, or PCR methods; sociodemographic, clinical, and comorbidity data were collected.
Main Results:
- The incidence of COVID-19 was 4.45% (169 patients), with a 7.1% mortality rate and 18.9% hospital admission rate among infected individuals.
- Previous respiratory pathology was significantly associated with COVID-19 infection (P<.05).
- Maculopathy occurred in 5.3% of patients, significantly related to hydroxychloroquine dosage (P<.05).
Conclusions:
- There is no observed relationship between the chronic use of hydroxychloroquine and the incidence of COVID-19.
- The study highlights potential side effects of hydroxychloroquine, such as maculopathy, which are dose-dependent.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential impacts of hydroxychloroquine on patient health outcomes.
Objective:
To analyze the incidence of Covid-19 in patients who are chronic users of hydroxychloroquine.
Patients And Methods:
Cross-sectional retrospective observational multicenter study in health areas and districts from Castilla La-Mancha and Andalucia. Of the 4451 participants included in the first recruitment, 3817 with valid data were selected. The main variable of the study is the presence or absence of Covid-19 infection by clinical, serological or polymerase chain reaction diagnosis. Sociodemographic and clinical variables and treatment and concomitant comorbidities were recorded.
Results:
169 (4,45%) patients had Covid-19 infection, of which 12 (7.1%) died and 32 (18.9%) required hospital admission. Previous respiratory pathology was related to Covid-19 infection (P<.05). Maculopathy appears in 5.3% of patients and is significantly related to the dose of hydroxychloroquine consumed (P<.05).
Conclusion:
There is no relationship between chronic use of hydroxychloroquine and the incidence of Covid-19.
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