Efecto de la N-acetilcisteína en la mortalidad de pacientes ingresados por COVID-19: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Impact of N-Acetylcysteine in the mortality of patients hospitalized with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study

Introducción y objetivo La N-acetilcisteína se ha propuesto para el tratamiento de COVID-19 gracias a sus efectos mucolítico, antioxidante y antiinflamatorio. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar su efecto en pacientes ingresados con COVID-19, en términos de mortalidad. Material y métodos Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo unicéntrico. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes ingresados por COVD-19 entre marzo y abril de 2020 en nuestro hospital. Resultados Un total de 378 pacientes fueron incluidos; de ellos, 196 (51,9%) fueron hombres, la edad media fue de 73,3±14,5 años. Un total de 199 (52,6%) pacientes recibieron tratamiento con N-acetilcisteína. Más del 70% tuvieron tos, fiebre y/o disnea. La mortalidad hospitalaria global fue del 26,7%. Un análisis multivariante mediante regresión logística identificó la edad de los pacientes [mayores de 80 años; OR: 8,4 (IC95%: 3-23,4)], una afectación radiológica moderada o grave medida por la escala RALE [OR: 7,3 (IC95%: 3,2-16,9)], el consumo de tabaco [OR: 2,8 (IC95%: 1,3-6,1)] y arritmia previa [OR: 2,8 (IC95%: 1,3-6,2)] como factores de riesgo que se asociaron independientemente con la mortalidad durante el ingreso. El tratamiento con N-acetilcisteína fue identificado como factor protector [OR: 0,57 (IC95%: 0,31-0,99)]. El asma podría representar asimismo un factor protector de mortalidad, aunque en el presente estudio no alcanza significación estadística [OR: 0,19 (IC95%: 0,03-1,06)]. Conclusiones Los pacientes con COVID-19 tratados con N-acetilcisteína presentaron una menor mortalidad y mejor evolución en nuestro estudio. Futuros estudios prospectivos o ensayos clínicos aleatorizados deben confirmar el papel de la N-acetilcisteína en pacientes con COVID-19 (AU)

Introduction and aim N-acetylcysteine has been proposed for the treatment of COVID-19 thanks to its mucolytic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Our aim is to evaluate its effect on patients admitted with COVID-19 in mortality terms. Material and methods Retrospective single-center cohort study. All patients admitted to our hospital for COVID-19 from March to April 2020 have been considered. Results A total of 378 patients were included, being 196 (51.9%) men, with an average age of 73.3±14.5 years. The 52.6% (199) received treatment with N-acetylcysteine. More than 70% presented coughs, fever, and/or dyspnea. The global hospital mortality was 26.7%. A multivariate analysis through logistic regression identified the age of patients [older than 80; OR: 8.4 (95% CI: 3–23.4)], a moderate or severe radiologic affectation measured by the RALE score [OR: 7.3 (95% CI: 3.2–16.9)], the tobacco consumption [OR: 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3–6.1)] and previous arrhythmia [OR 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3–6.2)] as risk factor that were independently associated with mortality during the admission. The treatment with N-acetylcysteine was identified as a protective factor [OR: 0.57 (95% CI: 0.31–0.99)]. Asthma also seems to have a certain protective factor although it was not statistically significant in our study [OR: 0.19 (95% CI: 0.03–1.06)]. Conclusions Patients with COVID-19 treated with N-acetylcysteine have presented a lower mortality and a better evolution in this study. Future prospective studies or randomized clinical trials must confirm the impact of N-acetylcysteine on COVID-19 patients (AU)

Impact of N-Acetylcysteine in the mortality of patients hospitalized with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: N-Acetylcysteine has been proposed for the treatment of COVID-19 thanks to its mucolytic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Our aim is to evaluate its effect on patients admitted with COVID-19 in mortality terms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective single-center cohort study. All patients admitted to our hospital for COVID-19 from March to April 2020 have been considered. RESULTS: A total of 378 patients were included, being 196 (51.9%) men, with an average age of 73.3±14.5 years. 52.6% (199) received treatment with N-Acetylcysteine. More than 70% presented coughs, fever, and/or dyspnea. The global hospital mortality was 26.7%. A multivariate analysis through logistic regression identified the age of patients [older than 80; OR: 8.4 (CI95%:3-23.4)], a moderate or severe radiologic affectation measured by the RALE score [OR:7.3 (CI95%:3.2-16.9)], the tobacco consumption [OR:2.8 (CI95%:1.3-6.1)] and previous arrhythmia [OR 2.8 (CI95%: 1.3-6.2)] as risk factor that were independently associated with mortality during the admission. The treatment with N-Acetylcysteine was identified as a protective factor [OR: 0.57 (CI95%: 0.31-0.99)]. Asthma also seems to have a certain protective factor although it was not statistically significant in our study [OR: 0.19 (CI95%: 0.03-1.06)]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 treated with N-acetylcysteine have presented a lower mortality and a better evolution in this study. Future prospective studies or randomized clinical trials must confirm the impact of N-Acetylcysteine on COVID-19 patients.