Comparison of Different Treatment Strategies Combating COVID-19 in Pakistan

Afsheen Mansoor; Muhammad Talal khan; Aleena Hussain; Ambreen Gul; Emaan Mansoor; Anber Saleem

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v72i5.7133

Authors

Afsheen Mansoor School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Pakistan
Muhammad Talal khan Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental College, Pakistan
Aleena Hussain Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Pakistan
Ambreen Gul Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Pakistan
Emaan Mansoor epartment of Bio Chemistry, Dental College (HITEC) Heavy Industries Taxila Education City-Institute of Medical Sciences, Taxila Pakistan
Anber Saleem School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v72i5.7133

Keywords:

Azithromycin, Chloroquine, COVID-19, Doxycycline, Ivermectin, Lopinavir

Abstract

Objective: To compare different treatment strategies for patients of COVID-19 in Pakistan.

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study.

Place and Duration of Study: Abbas Medical Hospital, Muzaffarabad Pakistan, in month of April, 2021.

Methodology: Total of 120, COVID-19 positive patients between 31-45 years of age were admitted at Abbas hospital after carrying out rRT-PCR test. These patients presented with sore throat, cough and fever (>101^oC). These patients were assigned to four different Groups (n=30). Group A was administered Azithromycin while Group B was treated with Azithromycin in combination with hydroxychloroquine. Group C was given combination of oral ivermectin and doxycycline and Group D was treated with lopinavir. Diagnostic tests such as rRT-PCR, blood parameters such as creatinine, random blood sugar, alanine aminotransferase, complete blood count, ECG, chest X-ray and blood biomarkers including procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin were performed at day 1, 5, 7, 14 and 30.

Results: Patients treated with Azithromycin revealed highest recovery of about 93(77.8%+11.68) among COVID-19 patients followed by combination of Azithromycin and hydroxylchloroquinone which was 79(65.56%+10.19), combination of ivermectin and doxycycline was 24(19.63%+8.83) and lopinavir was 11(9.06%+5.26) displayed minimum potency in recovering the COVID-19 positive patients (p-value=0.000).

Conclusion: Azithromycin was most effective in helping patients recover from COVID-19 followed by combination of Azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine. Patients recovered after treatment with ivermectin doxycycline were lower followed by those who recovered with lopinavir only.

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