Retrospective 600 PCR+ outpatients in Australia treated with ivermectin, zinc, and doxycycline, showing significantly lower mortality and hospitalization with treatment. This trial uses a synthetic control group, and the preliminary report provides minimal details.
For discussion of the use of a synthetic control group, see
1. Notably, advantages include less-biased recruitment (patients do not opt-out if they feel they need treatment and don't want to risk placebo), trials are cheaper, there is less delay in treatment, and trials can be run where it is not ethical to give patients placebo.
This study is excluded in the after exclusion results of meta-analysis:
preliminary report with minimal details.
Study covers ivermectin and
zinc.
OutcomeImprovementEffect · pTreatmentControl
risk of death
92.3% lower · RR 0.08 · p = 0.03*
92.3% lowerRR 0.08p = 0.03*
0 of 600 (0.0%)
6 of 600 (1.0%)
treatment 0 of 600 (0.0%), control 6 of 600 (1.0%)NNT 100continuity correction due to zero events
risk of hospitalization
92.9% lower · RR 0.07 · p < 0.001***
92.9% lowerRR 0.07p < 0.001***
5 of 600 (0.8%)
70 of 600 (11.7%)
treatment 5 of 600 (0.8%), control 70 of 600 (11.7%)NNT 9.2primary outcome
Effect extraction follows pre-specified rules prioritizing more serious outcomes. Submit updates. * p < 0.05 *** p < 0.001
Borody et al., 19 Oct 2021, retrospective, Australia, preprint, 2 authors, study period 1 June, 2021 - 30 September, 2021, dosage 24mg days 1-10, this trial uses multiple treatments in the treatment arm (combined with zinc and doxycycline) - results of individual treatments may vary.
