Pharmacoepidemiological research of COVID-19 in the Russian Federation EGIDA-2020

Background. During 2020 a several antiviral drugs were recommended in Russia, therefore issue of COVID-19 antiviral therapy (AVT) remains open. Aim. An analysis of coronavirus infection in Russia and evaluation of different AVT regimens effectiveness. Materials and methods. The study involved a retrospective analysis of 1082 patient records with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in 17 regions of Russia. The number of men and women was equal, mean age - 48.7 +/- 18.1 (median - 50). Patients with moderate COVID-19 (85%) versus mild COVID-19 (15%) were characterized by higher age (median - 54 vs 21 years; p<0.001), higher body mass index (27.8 vs 23.4; p<0.001), prevalence of chronic diseases (75.3% vs 8.5%; p<0.001), including circulatory system diseases (37.8%). Moderate COVID-19 characterized higher intoxication (10.8 +/- 6.1 vs 4.2 +/- 2.7 days; p<0.001) and catarrhal symptoms duration (10.2 +/- 5.4 vs 6.1 +/- 4.1 days; p<0.001). Results. During hospitalization 92% of the patients received AVT, 77% - antibiotics, and 16% - corticosteroids. Umifenovir therapy resulted in a significant reduction of intoxication (8.7 +/- 5.5 vs 11.7 +/- 5.5 days; p<0.001) and catarrhal symptoms duration (8.8 +/- 5.1 vs 12.0 +/- 4.9 days; p<0.001) compared to the group without AVT. The usage of INF reduced intoxication symptoms compared with the group without AVT (8.9 +/- 7.5 vs 11.7 +/- 5.5; p<0.05). Therapy with hydroxychloroquine, imidazolylethanamide pentandioic acid, and lopinavir + ritonavir combination did not affect the course of COVID-19. Most of adverse reactions were related to antibiotics. Conclusion. Umifenovir therapy and inclusion of interferon in AVT regimens was associated improvement in the clinical manifestation of the disease among patients.