Efficacy of Favipiravir in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Patients in Erbil: A Controlled Clinical Trial
Qadir et al., International Journal of Applied Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends, 13:1
Qadir et al., Efficacy of Favipiravir in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Patients in Erbil: A Controlled Clinical.., International Journal of Applied Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends, 13:1
Prospective study with 125 favipiravir patients and 125 patients declining favipiravir treatment, showing lower mortality and improved recovery with treatment. All patients received vitamin C, D, and zinc. Favipiravir 3200mg day 1, followed by 600mg bid days 2-10.
risk of death, 97.1% lower, RR 0.03, p < 0.001, treatment 0 of 125 (0.0%), control 17 of 125 (13.6%), NNT 7.4, relative risk is not 0 because of continuity correction due to zero events (with reciprocal of the contrasting arm).
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risk of hospitalization, 60.0% lower, RR 0.40, p = 0.001, treatment 14 of 125 (11.2%), control 35 of 125 (28.0%), NNT 6.0.
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risk of no recovery, 97.1% lower, RR 0.03, p < 0.001, treatment 0 of 125 (0.0%), control 17 of 125 (13.6%), NNT 7.4, relative risk is not 0 because of continuity correction due to zero events (with reciprocal of the contrasting arm), day 30, primary outcome.
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risk of no recovery, 70.8% lower, RR 0.29, p < 0.001, treatment 14 of 125 (11.2%), control 48 of 125 (38.4%), NNT 3.7, day 15.
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risk of no recovery, 78.8% lower, RR 0.21, p < 0.001, treatment 14 of 125 (11.2%), control 66 of 125 (52.8%), NNT 2.4, day 10.
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risk of no recovery, 70.6% lower, RR 0.29, p < 0.001, treatment 32 of 125 (25.6%), control 109 of 125 (87.2%), NNT 1.6, day 5.
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recovery time, 58.1% lower, relative time 0.42, p < 0.001, treatment 125, control 125.
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Effect extraction follows pre-specified rules prioritizing more serious outcomes. Submit updates
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Qadir et al., 23 May 2022, prospective, Iraq, peer-reviewed, 3 authors, study period 22 June, 2020 - 25 October, 2021.
Abstract: International Journal of Applied Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends
( IJASCFRT )
ISSN (Print) , ISSN (Online)
© International Scientific Research and Researchers Association
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Efficacy of Favipiravir in the Treatment of Mild to
Moderate COVID-19 Patients in Erbil: A Controlled
Clinical Trial
Hiwa Khalid Qadira*, Hama Nejm Jaff b, Hemin Khalid Saberc
a
Internist, Respiratory Medicine, Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specialties, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of
Iraq ,44001
b
MBChB., D.T.M., M.R.C.P., F.C.C.P., F.R.C.P., Consultant Internist, Rizgary Teaching Hospital, Erbil,
Kurdistan Region of Iraq, 44001
b
Professor at Department of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, College of Medicine. Erbil Kurdistan
Region, Iraq,44001
c
M.B.Ch.B. F.I.C.M.S(med ,F.K.M.S(resp), Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq ,44001
a
Email: drhiwa_76@yahoo.com, bEmail: hamanejmjaff@yahoo.comm, cEmail: hemin76@gmail.com
Abstract
Background and objectives: Favipiravir (FAV) is considered to have potential efficacy against the SARSCoV-2 virus. We aimed to explore the efficacy of favipiravir in the treatment of mild and moderate cases of
COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: 250 patients of mild and moderate COVID-19 patients confirmed by reverse
transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were included from 22nd of June 2020 till 25th of October
2021, aged 18 to 90 years, 125 patients received FAV 3200 mg no day 1 followed by 600 mg twice daily (from
day 2 –day 10). In another group, 125 patients did not receive favipiravir (SOC, standard of care group). They
received paracetamol, vitamins D, and C plus Zinc, and azithromycin within the first 10 days of symptoms’
onset. In both groups, the patients were monitored for clinical recovery on the 5 th,10th, 15th days and after one
month of receiving the therapeutic trials. Patients were enrolled from Rizgari Teaching Hospital, and from an
outpatient respiratory private clinic. Both arms were comparable as regards demographic characteristics,
severity, and comorbidities. It was a non-randomized –controlled trial. Results: On day five, the rate of clinical
improvement in the FAV group (74.4%) was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the rate in the SOC group
(12.8%). On day 10, the mentioned rate was 88.8% in the FAV group compared with 47.2% in the SOC group
(p < 0.001). The median time of clinical recovery was 6.5 days in the FAV group vs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------* Corresponding author.
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International Journal of Applied Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends (IJASCFRT) (2022) Volume13, No 1, pp 228-235
10.5 days in the SOC group. The rate of hospitalization in the FAV group was 11.2% compared with 28% in the
SOC group. (P < 0.001). None of the patients of the FAV group died within 30 days, compared with 13.6% of
patients in the SOC group.
Conclusions: Favipiravir was superior to the SOC in shortening the time to clinical improvement in patients
with mild to moderate COVID-19. As well as in decreasing the hospitalization rate, and mortality rate within the
first month post-infection.
Keywords: COVID-19; Favipiravir; Oral antiviral agent; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment efficacy.
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