Clinical outcomes and considerations in outpatient with COVID‐19 receiving remdesivir therapy

TL;DR

This study found that outpatient remdesivir treatment for early-stage COVID-19 is effective with few side effects and is preferred by patients over hospitalization.

Contribution

The study provides evidence for the effectiveness of outpatient remdesivir therapy and highlights the benefits of early administration.

Findings

Early remdesivir administration was associated with lower hospitalization rates.

Corticosteroids did not significantly improve outcomes in patients with oxygen saturation above 90%.

Outpatient remdesivir therapy had a low incidence of side effects and was preferred by patients.

Abstract

This retrospective cross‐sectional study aimed to assess the outcomes of Covid‐19 patients who received remdesivir therapy at the outpatient department of Ziaian Hospital.

A total of 514 eligible patients were included between May and September 2021. Covid‐19 diagnosis was confirmed through positive SARS‐COV‐2 PCR tests or chest CT scans. Due to limited hospital beds, patients received remdesivir on an outpatient basis.

Patients received six daily doses of remdesivir for 5 days. Those referred to a physician within 7 days of symptom onset had similar hospitalization rates compared to later referrals. Lower blood saturation levels were associated with a higher likelihood of hospital admission, indicating that earlier administration of remdesivir may be more effective. Patients with over 50% lung involvement had higher rates of disease progression despite treatment. Corticosteroids did not significantly improve outcomes in patients with saturation above 90%. Discontinuation of remdesivir due to side effects was rare, with only 1% experiencing increased liver enzymes, 1.2% facial redness and tremors, and 1.5% allergies. After 1 week of treatment, patients commonly reported symptoms such as hair loss, fatigue, body pain, lethargy, and anorexia, particularly among hospitalized patients.

Patients generally preferred outpatient treatment over hospitalization. Body mass index (BMI) did not significantly impact hospitalization rates, although average weight tended to be higher among inpatients. The study confirmed the effectiveness of remdesivir therapy with a low occurrence of side effects.

This retrospective study evaluated the outcomes of Covid‐19 patients receiving remdesivir at an outpatient department. Early administration of remdesivir showed better outcomes, while corticosteroids had limited benefits. Outpatient treatment was favored, and BMI did not significantly influence hospitalization rates. Remdesivir demonstrated efficacy with a low incidence of side effects.