Medical treatment of 55 patients with COVID-19 from seven cities in northeast China who fully recovered: a single-center, retrospective, observational study

BackgroundCOVID-19 is an emerging disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus; no specific medication has been identified to date. We aimed to investigate the administered medications and intervention times for patients who completely recovered from COVID-19. MethodsThis single-center, retrospective, and observational study included 55 patients with COVID-19 who were transferred to Shenyang Sixth Peoples Hospital between January 20 and March 15, 2020. Demographic information, symptoms, laboratory indicators, treatment processes, and clinical outcomes were collected. Administered drugs and intervention times were compared in 47 and eight patients with mild and severe symptoms, respectively. FindingsAll 55 patients recovered. Fifty-three patients (96{middle dot}36%) received antiviral therapy, including 45 in the mild group (median treatment: 14 days; 17 received umifenovir) and all eight severe-group patients (median treatment: 17{middle dot}5 days; four received lopinavir/ritonavir). Twenty-nine patients (52{middle dot}72%) were administered antibiotics, including 21 in the mild group (median treatment: 13{middle dot}5 days; 15 received moxifloxacin) and all eight in the severe group (median treatment: 9 days; two received linezolid). Moreover, seven patients (12{middle dot}72%) were treated with glucocorticoids and nine (16{middle dot}36%) with immunomodulators. InterpretationGiven the 100% recovery rate, early administration of antiviral drugs can be considered. Umifenovir may benefit patients with mild symptoms, while lopinavir/ritonavir may benefit those with severe symptoms. Prophylactic administration of common antibiotics may reduce the risk of co-infection. The use of glucocorticoids is usually not necessary. FundingThis work was supported by the Shenyang Major Science and Technology Innovation R&D Program (JY2020-9-018 to Y. Chen).