• Daniel Muñoz, Catalina Cano, Jorge Amador, Sandra Vergara, and Guido Ruiz.
• Instituto de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
• Rev Med Chil. 2023 May 1; 151 (5): 541550541-550.

BackgroundThe largest growth in cases of COVID-19 worldwide during 2020 was in the Americas, and Chile was one of the most affected countries.AimTo describe, characterize, and evaluate the use of drugs as treatment for COVID-19 in hospitalized patients in Chile during the first wave of the pandemic.MethodsWe performed a multicenter, observational study that included 442 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted in Chilean hospitals between March 21 and September 22, 2020. The analysis included demographics, comorbidities, specific drug therapy, and outcomes over a 28-day follow-up period.ResultsThe median age of patients was 68 years (IQR 55-73), and 38.9% were women. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (57.7%) and diabetes (36.9%). Fifty-seven (12.9%) patients died. Hypertension (HR 2.99; CI 95% 1.43-6.26) and age ≥ 65 (2.14; CI 95% 1.10- 4.17) were the main predictors of mortality. Primary drugs were azithromycin (58.8%) and corticosteroids (51.1%). In this sample, azithromycin was a protective factor regarding mortality (HR 0.53; CI 95% 0.31-0.90), increasing clinical improvement and avoiding progression.ConclusionsThe patterns of use of drugs to treat COVID-19 in Chile during the first wave of the pandemic were very dynamic and followed the international, evidence-based guidelines. The low mortality rate indicates that the clinical management of hospitalized patients was adequate.

24 keywords...

hide…