Just published @TheLancet
The largest study of hydroxychloroquine shows a significant increase in death (~35%) and >2-fold increase of serious heart arrhythmias. ~96,000 patients, ~15,000 on HCQ or CQ from 671 hospitals, 6 continents.
marlin-prod.literatumonline.com/pb-assets/Lanc…
The largest study of hydroxychloroquine shows a significant increase in death (~35%) and >2-fold increase of serious heart arrhythmias. ~96,000 patients, ~15,000 on HCQ or CQ from 671 hospitals, 6 continents.
marlin-prod.literatumonline.com/pb-assets/Lanc…
It's no longer that hydroxychloroquine has no sign of efficacy—it is associated with an increase in mortality.
This is not a randomized trial but larger than all the preceding 10 studies and 3 randomized trials in aggregate.
Chloroquine was even worse for risk than HCQ.
This is not a randomized trial but larger than all the preceding 10 studies and 3 randomized trials in aggregate.
Chloroquine was even worse for risk than HCQ.
The significant increase in deaths among HCQ of CQ treated patients cannot be directly attributed to the *2-5 fold increase* in ventricular tachycardia (a malignant arrhythmia) but that must be playing a role.
Extensive coverage of the results @washingtonpost
washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05… by @arianaeunjung and @lauriemcginley2
washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05… by @arianaeunjung and @lauriemcginley2
HCQ failed efficacy in the spectrum of mild to severe #COVID19, but now the higher mortality & VT in hospitalized patients (where arrhythmias get Dx'd and treated) raises 2 questions:
1. Is it ethical to proceed with ongoing RCTs?
2. How can the drug be given to outpatients?
1. Is it ethical to proceed with ongoing RCTs?
2. How can the drug be given to outpatients?
Just 2 footnotes
1. This report is >6X the N of Rx'd patients cumulatively reported on cf prior studies (includes 3=RCTs)
2. The addition of a macrolide antibiotic (1 of which was azithromycin) added substantially to risk of ventricular tachycardia: HCQ 2.3X-> H+M 5.1X risk
1. This report is >6X the N of Rx'd patients cumulatively reported on cf prior studies (includes 3=RCTs)
2. The addition of a macrolide antibiotic (1 of which was azithromycin) added substantially to risk of ventricular tachycardia: HCQ 2.3X-> H+M 5.1X risk
Just thinking of the new consent form for all HCQ ongoing trials that would require a statement like:
"The largest study of HCQ in 96,000 people of whom 15,000 took HCQ or CQ showed an increase death rate by 35% and a more than doubling of serious heart rhythm disturbances"
"The largest study of HCQ in 96,000 people of whom 15,000 took HCQ or CQ showed an increase death rate by 35% and a more than doubling of serious heart rhythm disturbances"
That's the right call
