Ivermectin Prophylaxis Used for COVID-19: A Citywide, Prospective, Observational Study of 223,128 Subjects Using Propensity Score Matching (Brazil)
https://www.cureus.com/articles/82162-ivermectin-prophylaxis-used-for-covid-19-a-citywide-prospective-observational-study-of-223128-subjects-using-propensity-score-matching
Background
Ivermectin has demonstrated different mechanisms of action, coronavirus infection and COVID-19-related comorbidities.
Prophylaxis combined with the known safety profile of ivermectin
Study to evaluate the impact of regular ivermectin use on subsequent COVID-19 infection and mortality rates.
Prospective, July 2020 and December 2020
Inviting the entire population of Itajaí to a medical visit to enroll in the program,
ivermectin was offered as an optional treatment to be taken for two consecutive days every 15 days at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day.
Study analysis consisted of comparing ivermectin users with non-users using cohorts
Results
223,128 citizens of Itajaí considered
159,561 included in the analysis
113,845 (71.3%) regular ivermectin users
45,716 (23.3%) non-users
Of these
4,311 ivermectin users were infected, (3.7% infection rate)
3,034 non-users (6.6% infection rate)
A 44% reduction in COVID-19 infection rate
Risk ratio (RR), 0.56
The regular use of ivermectin led to a 68% reduction in COVID-19 mortality
Deaths
25 (0.8%) deaths in the ivermectin group
79 (2.6%) among ivermectin non-users
RR, 0.32
p less than 0.0001
When adjusted for residual variables, reduction in mortality rate was 70%
There was a 56% reduction in hospitalization rate
44 in the ivermectin group
99 in non ivermectin users
After adjustment for residual variables, reduction in hospitalization rate was 67%
p less than 0.0001
Conclusion
In this large study, regular use of ivermectin as a prophylactic agent was associated with significantly reduced COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates.
Source