Observational Study of the Effect of the Hydroxychloroquine/Azithromycin Combination in Patients Hospitalized for a Severe Form of COVID-19

Abstract

Following the demonstration in vitro of the efficiency of a synergistic effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) associated with azithromycin (AZI) against the SARS-CoV-2, some studies have aimed to evaluate its efficiency in a clinical setting. We present the results of a non-randomized observational study of patients admitted for a severe form of COVID-19 disease who have been treated by HCQ/AZI after collegial physicians’ decision. Of the 306 patients included (average age: 72.8 years), 53 received the HCQ/AZI association. Univariate analysis shows in non-survivors a higher average age, more severe clinical signs on admission (lung invasion rate> 50%, Dyspnea and creatinine>133µmol/L) and more comorbidities (cerebrovascular accident, chronic kidney disease, immunodeficiency). We evaluated the efficiency of the HCQ/AZI treatment on a population (n=96) with comparable characteristics (age, risk factor, gravity…). If mortality of the patients treated with HCQ/AZI seems different in this sub-study population (HCQ/AZI: 0% vs. Other: 8%), the methods of the study and its size do not allow the identification of a statistically significant difference (p=0.122).