Title of article :
The Effect of Intravenous Tocilizumab Therapy on the Prognosis of Patients with COVID-19: A Case-Control Study
Author/Authors :
Shafieipour ، Sara Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Rezaei Zadeh Rukerd ، Mohammad Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Shamsizadeh Meymandi ، Tayebe Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Sinaei ، Reza Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Sarafzadeh ، Farhad Department of Internal Medicine - Faculty of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital - Kerman University of Medical School , Abu Saeedi ، Hamid Department of Internal Medicine - Faculty of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital - Kerman University of Medical School , Farokhnia ، Mehrdad Department of Internal Medicine - Faculty of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital - Kerman University of Medical School , Yousefi ، Maysam Department of Internal Medicine - Faculty of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital - Kerman University of Medical School , Ghasemzadeh ، Iman Department of Internal Medicine - Faculty of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital - Kerman University of Medical School , Saeedpor ، Ali Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Ahmadi ، Bijan Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Lashkarizadeh ، Mohammad Mehdi Colorectal Research Center - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Pishgooie ، Nafise Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Nakhaie ، Mohsen Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences - Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background and Aim: Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody against the Interleukin-6 (IL6) receptor, but its effect on improving the clinical condition of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients is debated. Accordingly, this study investigated the impact of Tocilizumab as an alternative treatment on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 300 COVID-19 patients in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman, Iran, from November 2021 to January 2022 diagnosed by Real Time-PCR test with severe pneumonia were classified into two groups: 150 patients in the control group, treated with standard treatment, and 150 patients in the case group, that treated with intravenous Tocilizumab in addition to those treatments. Prognostic factors such as the hospitalization period, need for mechanical ventilation, and the patient’s discharge condition were investigated. Results: Effect of Tocilizumab on outcomes of COVID-19 patients, like demanding mechanical ventilation, and length of hospitalization in the case group, despite the presence of poor biological symptoms such as severe lymphopenia in admission, show a significant difference in comparison to the control group. Tocilizumab does not affect the patient’s discharge condition and the mortality rate. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Tocilizumab, despite the lack of an apparent effect on the outcome of the COVID-19 disease (recovery or death), reduced length of hospitalization and the necessity for mechanical ventilation and can be used as an alternative therapy with other treatments.
Keywords :
COVID , 19 , Prognosis , Interleukin , 6 , Iran , Tocilizumab ,
Journal title :
Iranian Journal of Medical Microbiology
Journal title :
Iranian Journal of Medical Microbiology
