Study of Effect of Monoclonalantibodies in Covid 19 Infection.

Abstract

Background The death rate was overwhelmingly high during COVID 19 pandemic with very few treatment options and the main cause leading to death being the cytokine storm.Monoclonal antibodies like Tocilizumab ( IL-6 receptor inhibitor) was said to be an effective treatment option in severe COVID 19 patients with increased inammatory markers. Objectives To determine the outcome of monoclonal antibodies in COVID 19 patients. To determine the risk of mechanical ventilation in patients who are treated with monoclonal antibodies in COVID 19 patients. Methods A retrospective study conduction during the second wave of COVID 19 in India (Sri Devraj Urs Medical College, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka ) . The study includes 2 groups - one treated with Tocilizumab and the other not treated with Tocilizumab. Chi-square test or Fischer's exact test (for 2x2 tables only) was used as test of signicance for qualitative data. Results 106 patients observed were divided into 2 groups of 53 ensuring similar baseline characteristics. While one group of 53 was treated with IV Tocilizumab (TCZ group) and the other group was not treated (Non - TCZ group). Signicant difference was found with regard to mortality (p value - 0.032) in the TCZ and Non TCZ groups (Mortality rate - 41.5% vs 62.3% ). Additionally while the patients who needed invasive ventilation in Tocilizumab was lower than that of Non Toclizumab group (52.8 % vs 71.7 %) it was not statistically signicant (p = 0.071). Conclusion Based on the observations in this study, patients treated with Tocilizumab had signicantly better survival rate .The impact of Tocilizumab on the risk of mechanical ventilation in this Cohort is not conclusive.