Hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of outpatients with mildly symptomatic COVID-19: A multi-center observational study

• DOI: 10.1101/2020.08.20.20178772
• Publication Date: 2020-08-25T19:00:12Z
• Authors: Andrew Ip; Jaeil Ahn; Yizhao Zhou; Andre H. Goy; Eric Hansen; Andrew L Pecora; Brittany A Sinclaire; Urszula Bednarz; Michael Marafelias; Shivam Mathura; Ihor S Sawczuk; Joseph P. Underwood; David M. Walker; Rajiv Prasad; Robert L. Sweeney; Marie G. Ponce; Samuel La Capra; Frank J. Cunningham; Arthur G. Calise; Bradley L. Pulver; Dominic Ruocco; Greggory E. Mojares; Michael P. Eagan; Kristy L. Ziontz; Paul Mastrokyriakos; Stuart L Goldberg
• Keywords: Hydroxychloroquine

Abstract Background Hydroxychloroquine has not been associated with improved survival among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the majority of observational studies and similarly was identified as an effective prophylaxis following exposure a prospective randomized trial. We aimed to explore role hydroxychloroquine therapy mildly symptomatic diagnosed outpatient setting. Methods examined association between subsequent progression disease non-hospitalized documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome assessed requirement hospitalization. Data obtained from retrospective review electronic health records within New Jersey USA multi-hospital network. compared outcomes who received those did applying multivariable logistic model propensity matching. Results Among 1274 outpatients infection 7.6% were prescribed hydroxychloroquine. In 1067 patient matched cohort, 21.6% hospitalized, 31.4% without hospitalized. regression analysis matching there decreased rate hospitalization (OR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29, 0.95). Sensitivity analyses revealed similar associations. QTc prolongation events occurred 2% no reported arrhythmia data available. Conclusions this study infected Additional exploration population is warranted. Lay Summary 1,274 patients, given treatment 47% reduction hazard Adverse increased (2% events, 0% arrhythmias). Further validation required. Use treat setting should be reserved for clinical trial or after discussion physician regarding risks benefits.