The use of hydroxychloroquine in patients with mild or moderate symptoms of Covid-19 did not improve their clinical evolution. The conclusion is from a survey conducted by the coalition led by Albert Einstein, HCor, Syrian-Lebanese hospitals. Moinhos de Vento, Oswaldo Cruz, and Beneficência Portuguesa, by the Brazilian Clinical Research Institute (BCRI) and the Brazilian Network for Research in Intensive Care (BRICNet). The group carried out the study with 665 people in 55 Brazilian hospitals.
The patients were randomly divided into three groups: in one (217 patients), they medicated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. In another (221), they received only hydroxychloroquine. In the third (227), they were followed up with clinical support only - without receiving either drug.
The result of the three strata was similar: 15 days later, 69% of the first, 64% of the second, and 68% of the third were already at home without respiratory limitations. According to the coalition, the number of deaths was also similar in all of them: about 3%.
The research highlights two points between adverse effects. In the two groups treated with hydroxychloroquine, changes in electrocardiogram tests were more frequent (increased QT interval, which represents a greater risk for arrhythmias). There were also more recurrent changes in tests that may show liver damage (increased TGO / TGP enzymes detected in the blood).
The drug hydroxychloroquine became a political flag for the presidents of the United States, Donald Trump, and of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro (without a party). After being diagnosed with Covid-19, the Brazilian representative announced in a live video that he was taking the drug. "I trust hydroxychloroquine; how about you?" he asked in the video.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon