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. 2022 Mar:5:100107.
doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100107. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

The utility of remdesivir in SARS-CoV-2: A single tertiary care center experience from a developing country

Muhammad Irfan Malik  1   2   3 , Sardar Al Fareed Zafar  1   2   3 , Muna Malik  1   2   3 , Fabiha Qayyum  2   3 , Iqra Akram  1   2   3 , Ammarah Arshad  1   2   3 , Khalid Waheed  1   2   3 , Jodat Saleem  1   2   3 , Abdul Jabbar  4 , Muhammad Junaid Tahir  2   3 , Zohaib Yousaf  5
Affiliations

The utility of remdesivir in SARS-CoV-2: A single tertiary care center experience from a developing country

Muhammad Irfan Malik et al. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Remdesivir is a monophosphoramidate prodrug of an adenosine analog, and it has a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against paramyxoviruses, flaviviruses, and coronaviruses. Remdesivir is associated with decreased hospital stay and improved outcomes in coronavirus- disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methodology: Of 846 suspected COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, 612 SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal RT-PCR positive patients were evaluated for enrollment in this prospective cohort study. 159 RT-PCR positive patients were given remdesivir. Their clinical, biochemical parameters, hospital stay, and outcomes related to morbidity and mortality were followed.

Results: Out of the 159 patients, 141 recovered after remdesivir use. The Chi-square test for independence examined the relation between the day of the first dose, dose of remdesivir, and clinical outcome. The standardized case fatality ratio (CFR) in the 453 hospitalized patients who did not receive remdesivir was 32.89% (N = 149) as compared to 11.32% (N = 18) in the patients who received remdesivir. These findings are in keeping with the therapeutic value of remdesivir in symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection of varying severity.

Conclusion: The use of remdesivir is associated with a decrease in the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Its use is also associated with a decreased length of hospital stay and lower mortality than the patients who did not receive remdesivir.

Keywords: COVID-19; Drug safety; Infection; Pakistan; Remdesivir; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest among the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Graphical representation of the Regression analysis by NORMPROB (ZRESID).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Laboratory findings of Lymphocyte % age, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and serum ferritin level of 159 COVID-19 patients receiving remdesivir on day 1 of treatment and the 7th day of treatment.
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