Drugs, which will be added to UK treatment guidelines, offer hope at a time of growing concern that the country’s health system could overheat.
Arthritis drug has been found to reduce the risk of death for people with the most severe cases of COVID-19 by a quarter, if they receive the treatment within 24 hours of entering intensive care, British study of cures for the disease detected.
The REMAP-CAP clinical trial, led by Imperial College and funded by the UK government, found tocilizumab, which suppresses the immune system and has long been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, may reduce the risk of relative death by 24 percent when given shortly after admission to the ICU.
It also reduced the time patients spent in intensive care by between seven and 10 days the health ministry said in a statement.
Most of the data came from when the drug was administered in addition to a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, which has already been shown to improve patients’ chances of recovery from severe cases of COVID-19. The findings are awaiting peer review.
“This is a major step forward in increasing patient survival in intensive care with COVID-19,” Deputy UK Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam said in a statement.
“The data show that tocilizumab, and a potential sarilumab (another drug in the study), accelerates and improves the rate of relapse in intensive care, a it is essential for relieving the stress of intensive care and hospitals and for saving lives. ”
A major vaccination program is underway in the UK, but as the revolution accelerates there are concerns that the health system could overrun it. [Jacob King/Pool via AFP]
The United Kingdom is battling a growing coronary-virus crisis with a new version of the much more portable coronavirus. Authorities have imposed a new lock on the country of nearly 67 million people amid concerns that the health system could overrun its large number of patients. hospital treatment is required even before the benefits of a major immunization program are felt.
Some 52,618 cases were confirmed Thursday and 3,600 people were admitted to the hospital.
“The rollout of these treatments could make a significant contribution to reducing pressure on hospitals over the coming weeks and months,” the health ministry said, adding that doctors would be encouraged under renewed guidance to use of tocilizumab in the treatment of COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units “which could save hundreds of lives”.