What Is the Case of More Accessibl E Treatment Options in Covid 19: Comparison of Hydroxychloroquine and Favipiravir Based on Laboratory Values

Abstract

Two of the drugs are frequently used in COVID-19 treatment algorithm because of their low cost, easy availabil ity and application; Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Favipiravir. Our aim in this study is to compare the laboratory parameters of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 Pneumonia in whom HCQ and Favipiravir treatment was initiated, and to reveal the difference in the effectiveness of the treatments. 64 COVID-19 patients whose diagnoses were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal swab samples and pneumonia image compatible with COVID-19 on Thorax CT were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: treated with HCQ, treated with favipiravir, and who were switched to favipiravir treatment when they did not benefit from HCQ. We compared the laboratory values on Day 1, Day 5 and at discharge. When compared in terms of laboratory values, there was no significant difference between the groups in which HCQ and Favipiravir was initiated. In the patient group who did not improve with HCQ and switched to favipiravi r treatment, lymphocyte levels increased and ferritin, CRP and d-dimer values decreased. The decrease in D-dimer and CRP values was statistically significant (p= 0.029, p= 0.048). PLT, Hemoglobin, RDW, MPV, NLR, PLR, INR values did not change significantly in any patient group. Our study with the most commonly used drugs in our country reveals that HCQ and Favipiravir are not superior to each other. When we changed the treatment with favipiravir in the group of patients receiving HCQ whose clinical an d / or laboratory values deteriorated, D-dimer and CRP values decreased during discharge. This finding shows how effective the timely treatment change is in the recovery of the patient by closely following the patient clinically and interpreting the laboratory values correctly. In COVID-19, we should direct the treatment of our patients by following the symptoms, risk factors and especially laboratory values. © 2021, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.