Efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in a group of subjectswith SARS-CoV 2 infection

Introduction and Aim of the study: Hydroxychloroquine has beenauthorized in the therapy of patients with COVID-19 Many publications have not clarified the real efficacy of the drug Really, thedrug was widely used during the pandemic A single-center observational cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine therapy in a group of subjects admittedin the sub-intensive therapy of the COVID Unit Hospital F Miulli(Acquaviva delle Fonti, Bari, Italy) from 17 march to 17 may 2020 Materials and Methods: The data contained in the medicalrecords were studied The sample was divided into two groups withrespect to therapy with or without hydroxychloroquine' Clinicaland laboratory data were analyzed Results: A total of 174 patients hospitalized (60 4% males),mean age 68 yrs, with diagnosis of SARS-CoV2, were analyzed 118 patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine The treatment group consisted of 66 1% males, mean age 63 years Thetwo groups were homogeneous in comorbidity and in the severityof clinical presentation of SARS-CoV2 infection The death ratewas significantly higher in the group of untreated than in thosereceiving hydroxychloroquine, 40% vs 2 6% respectively Therewere no significant differences on QTc prolongation between thetwo groups (467+47 ms control group, 446 + 35 ms, treatmentgroup) Discussion and Conclusions: The data of our study, although referring to a reduced sample, show the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in reducing mortality in subjects suffering fromSARS-CoV2 infection