Use of Convalescent Plasma Therapy with Best Available Treatment (BAT) among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Multi-Center Study

The COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV2 virus has gripped the whole world with overwhelming strain in our health system. Currently, there are no standard guidelines in its treatment but the possible benefits of convalescent plasma in limiting complications and severity of the COVID-19 disease have emerged. OBJECTIVEThis study aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of using convalescent plasma in improving the clinical course of hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease admitted at University of Santo Tomas and Makati Medical Center. METHODSThis study is a quasi-experimental (prospective analytical), and multi-center study involving 65 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 Disease who received convalescent plasma, with 65 patients who only received best available treatment serving as age-gender-matched control. RESULTSMedian age of the population who received convalescent plasma was 60 years old, mostly male (68%), and manifested severe pneumonia (47%). There was noted statistically signifcant decrease between the pre-and post-treatment values of hemoglobin (p=0.04) and LDH (p=0.086). There was also statistically significant increase in platelet counts (p=0.01). WBC and PaO2 increased while ferritin and PFR decreased after convalescent plasma transfusion, however, these were not statistically significant. Length of stay and clinical outcome of those who received convalescent plasma were then compared to age-gender matched controls who only received best available treatment. There was noted statistically significant difference between length of stay (p=0.00) among those who received convalescent plasma as compared to those who did not. This was seen across severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. There was also more mortality seen in the best available treatment alone group, but this was non-significant. CONCLUSIONSConvalescent plasma use showed no significant impact in the recovery rate and outcome of patients who received it as compared to those who did not, however, its use was proven to be safe among all patients regardless of the level of severity and clinical profile.