Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir combination against COVID-19 caused by
omicron BA.2.2: A single-center large observational study
Abstract
Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of
nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19
caused by the omicron BA. 2. 2 variant. Methods: An
observational study was conducted retrospectively to review the outcomes
of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients admitted between 26 April and 30
June, 2022. Patients’ baseline characteristics were collected and
assessed. Participants in the intervention group were administered
nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in addition to standard care, whereas those in
the control group only received standard care. The primary outcome was
the duration between symptoms onset or the initial positive RT-PCR test
and the subsequent conversion to a negative result. Results:
The analysis included 324 patients who were administered
nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and an equal number of control patients. The
patient characteristics in both groups were evenly matched. The average
duration from symptoms onset or the initial positive RT-PCR to negative
conversion was similar in both groups (16.2±5.0 vs. 16.1±6.3 days,
P=0.83). Control patients exhibited slower conversion in comparison to
patients who received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment within 10 days of
symptom onset. Conclusion: These findings suggest that
administering nirmatrelvir-ritonavir within 10 days of symptom onset
could potentially reduce the time it takes for SARS-CoV-2-infected
patients to negative RT-PCR results, thereby expanding the current usage
guidelines for nirmatrelvir-ritonavir.