SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Multicenter Experience With Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19 in the Upper Midwest

A Multicenter Experience With Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19 in the Upper Midwest

Pdf Summary

This multicenter retrospective cohort study evaluated whether tocilizumab improved outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in four Upper Midwest hospitals between January and September 2020. A total of 204 patients were included: 55 received tocilizumab plus steroids, and 149 received steroids alone.<br /><br />The two groups were broadly similar in age, sex, race, and most comorbidities and admission labs. However, the tocilizumab group had more diabetes (52.7% vs 34%) and significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP), suggesting greater baseline inflammation. They also received substantially higher steroid doses than the control group.<br /><br />Despite the rationale for IL-6 blockade in severe COVID-19, patients who received tocilizumab had worse observed outcomes. They had a longer hospital stay (16 vs 10 days), higher intubation rates (43.6% vs 28.2%), and higher mortality (43.6% vs 24%). These differences were statistically significant. <br /><br />The authors conclude that, in their patient population, tocilizumab used as an adjunct to steroids was associated with increased length of stay, intubation, and mortality. They emphasize that this was an observational study and that randomized controlled trials are needed to better determine the true effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab in COVID-19.

Asset Subtitle

Abhishek Matta

Meta Tag

Author List Abhishek Matta, Dinesh Bande, John McMillin, Rajesh Kunadharaju

Category Research

Concept Tocilizumab

Concept Hospitalized COVID-19

Concept Retrospective Cohort Study

Concept Mortality

Concept Interleukin-6

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Sanford Health/University of North Dakota School of Medicine

Presenting Author Abhishek Matta

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

tocilizumab

COVID-19

retrospective cohort study

hospitalized patients

steroids

IL-6 blockade

mortality

intubation

C-reactive protein

Upper Midwest hospitals

Tocilizumab

Hospitalized COVID-19

Retrospective Cohort Study

Mortality

Interleukin-6