Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of
tocilizumab treatment in patients with COVID-19. Methods: 60 patients
infected with SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in the study. The patients were
divided into two groups according to whether they treated with
tocilizumab or did not. Demographic and clinical features of the
patients, laboratory findings, treatments, and clinical outcome were
evaluated. Results: The mean age of 30 patients in group 1 was 63.6±16.3
years and male/female ratio was 3.2, whereas the mean age of 30 patients
in group 2 was 59.4±11 years and male/female ratio was 2.7 (P=0.244 and
P=0.766, respectively). pO2/FiO2 and lymphocyte count at baseline, 2nd
day and 7th day were significantly lower in group 1 treated with
standard treatment without tocilizumab than group 2 additionally treated
with tocilizumab (P<0.05). D-dimer level at 7th day, ferritin
and CRP levels at 2nd and 7th day were significantly higher in group 1
than group 2 (P=0.015, P<0.001, P<0.001,
P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). The patients in
group 1 had higher intensive care unit need and mortality rate than the
patients in tocilizumab group (P=0.015). 28-day survival was lower in
group 1 than tocilizumab group (P=0.024). Conclusions: We observed
clinical improvement and lower mortality rate in hospitalized patients
with severe COVID-19 with tocilizumab treatment.