Outcomes of persons with coronavirus disease 2019 in hospitals with and without standard treatment with (hydroxy)chloroquine

AbstractObjective To compare survival of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treated in hospitals that either did or not routinely treat patients hydroxychloroquine chloroquine. Methods We analysed data COVID-19 nine the Netherlands. Inclusion dates ranged from 27 February to 15 May 2020, when Dutch national guidelines no longer supported use (hydroxy)chloroquine. Seven (hydroxy)chloroquine, two not. Primary outcome was 21-day all-cause mortality. performed a analysis using log-rank test and Cox regression adjustment for age, sex covariates based on premorbid health, severity steroids adult respiratory distress syndrome, including dexamethasone. Results Among 1949 individuals, mortality 21.5% 1596 prescribed 15.0% 353 In adjusted models this difference disappeared, an hazard ratio 1.09 (95% CI 0.81–1.47). When stratified by treatment actually received individual patients, (hydroxy)chloroquine associated increased (HR 1.58; 95% 1.24–2.02) full model. Conclusions After confounders, significantly different compared outcomes hospital strategies rather than reduce chance indication bias. This study adds evidence against hospitalised COVID-19.