Tests show drugs raise chance of survival
AN INTERNATIONAL study has shown treating critically ill Covid-19 patients with medicines typically used for arthritis may significantly improve survival.
More than 100 patients, plus researchers and clinicians at Leicester’s hospitals contributed to the Remap-CapAP trial which evaluates the effect of treatments on survival rates and the length of time patients need support in an intensive care unit (ICU).
Initial findings reported in November by Imperial College London and the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre showed that tocilizumab, a drug usually used to treat arthritis, was likely to improve outcomes for patients critically ill with Covid-19.
However, the impact on patient survival and length of time on organ support in intensive care unit (ICU) was not yet clear.
The latest analysis shows that tocilizumab and a second drug, sarilumab, have a significant impact on patient survival, reducing the relative risk of death by 24 per cent, when administered to patients within 24 hours of entering intensive care.
Furthermore, the treatment also improved recovery so that, on average, patients were able to be discharged from ICU about a week earlier.
The government has asked that all NHS trusts begin to prescribe tocilizumab and sarilumab as standard care within 24 hours of a patient being admitted to ICU with Covid-19, with immediate effect.
Dr Hafiz Qureshi, a consultant haematologist and co-principal investigator for the Remap-Cap clinical trial at Leicester’s hospitals, said: “This finding is great news for our sickest patients with Covid-19 who require breathing support in intensive care units, as treatment with tocilizumab and sarilumab can improve their chances of survival and recovery.
“Together with the earlier finding that dexamethasone increases survival rate in patients with Covid-19, and the roll out of vaccines to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, it is another step towards overcoming this disease.”
Dr Hakeem Yusuff, a consultant in intensive care medicine and co-principal investigator for the Remap-Cap clinical trial at Leicester’s hospitals, said: “Tocilizumab and sarilumab are medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
“They work by dampening an over-reactive immune system, which is something we are often seeing in patients hospitalised with Covid-19.
“The trial showed patients receiving either tocilizumab or sarilumab were more likely to spend less time on organ support, such as on a ventilator, compared to patients who did not receive either medicine.”