A major conducted at the University Hospital of North Tees has revealed that the drug baricitinib effectively reduces mortality in patients hospitalised with severe COVID-19. The trial was part of the national RECOVERY study, which has been evaluating various options since March 2020.
The medication, typically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, was found to benefit patients when used alongside other like dexamethasone and tocilizumab. Data showed that patients receiving baricitinib had a 13 per cent lower risk of death compared to those receiving usual care alone.
Respiratory consultant Ben Prudon, who led the study for the local trust, stated that the results confirm the drug's effectiveness in saving lives. The trial involved comparing 4,008 patients on usual care with 4,148 patients who received the additional medication.
The that baricitinib also increased the likelihood of patients being discharged alive within 28 days. The study results are expected to help guide decisions regarding the use of combined anti-inflammatory therapies for the most severely ill patients.
Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2022-03-03. The original source image has been and credited.