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Ivermectin Prophylaxis Used for COVID-19: A Citywide, Prospective, Observational Study of 223,128 Subjects Using
Lucy Kerr1, Flavio A Cadegiani2,3, Fernando Baldi4
1Medicine, Instituto Kerr, São Paulo, BRA.
Cureus
|January 24, 2022
Summary
Regular ivermectin use significantly reduced COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates in a large Brazilian study. This prophylaxis demonstrated a notable impact on public health outcomes during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ivermectin exhibits potential mechanisms against COVID-19 infection and related comorbidities.
- A citywide ivermectin prophylaxis program was implemented in Itajaí, Brazil, due to its safety profile and suggested efficacy.
- The study aimed to assess ivermectin's impact on COVID-19 infection and mortality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of regular ivermectin use in preventing COVID-19 infection.
- To determine the impact of ivermectin prophylaxis on COVID-19 related hospitalization and mortality rates.
- To analyze the association between ivermectin use and COVID-19 outcomes in a large urban population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, observational study analyzing data from July to December 2020 in Itajaí, Brazil.
- Ivermectin was offered as optional prophylaxis (0.2 mg/kg/day for two consecutive days every 15 days) to the city's population.
- Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare ivermectin users and non-users based on infection, hospitalization, and mortality data.
Main Results:
- A 44% reduction in COVID-19 infection rate was observed in regular ivermectin users compared to non-users (3.7% vs. 6.6%).
- Regular ivermectin use was associated with a 68% reduction in COVID-19 mortality (0.8% vs. 2.6%) and a 56% reduction in hospitalization rates (0.44 vs. 0.99).
- Adjusted analyses confirmed significant reductions in mortality (70%) and hospitalization (67%) rates associated with ivermectin use.
Conclusions:
- Regular ivermectin prophylaxis was significantly associated with reduced rates of COVID-19 infection.
- The study demonstrated a significant decrease in COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among regular ivermectin users.
- Ivermectin shows potential as a prophylactic agent for reducing the burden of COVID-19 infection and its severe outcomes.
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