Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Background. COVID-19 is the major cause of serious acute respiratory complications, leading to strong perturbation of cytokine release and high levels of interleukin-6. In this work, we assessed the efficacy and safety of Tocilizumab in Tunisian patients with severe COVID-19. Materials and Methods....

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Main Authors: Khadija Bahrini, Hamza Ben Cheikh Larbi, Mouna Ben Azaiez, Nejla Stambouli, Mohamed Zakraoui, Sana Boughariou, Mohamed Ali Yousfi, Iheb Labbene, Mayssa Daiki, Hédi Gharsallah, Chihebeddine Romdhani, Mustapha Ferjani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Immunology Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/2585821
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author Khadija Bahrini
Hamza Ben Cheikh Larbi
Mouna Ben Azaiez
Nejla Stambouli
Mohamed Zakraoui
Sana Boughariou
Mohamed Ali Yousfi
Iheb Labbene
Mayssa Daiki
Hédi Gharsallah
Chihebeddine Romdhani
Mustapha Ferjani
author_facet Khadija Bahrini
Hamza Ben Cheikh Larbi
Mouna Ben Azaiez
Nejla Stambouli
Mohamed Zakraoui
Sana Boughariou
Mohamed Ali Yousfi
Iheb Labbene
Mayssa Daiki
Hédi Gharsallah
Chihebeddine Romdhani
Mustapha Ferjani
author_sort Khadija Bahrini
collection DOAJ
description Background. COVID-19 is the major cause of serious acute respiratory complications, leading to strong perturbation of cytokine release and high levels of interleukin-6. In this work, we assessed the efficacy and safety of Tocilizumab in Tunisian patients with severe COVID-19. Materials and Methods. We enrolled in this retrospective study 255 critically ill patients in the intensive care unit of the military hospital of Tunis. These patients were categorized into a standard group (n = 148) and a Tocilizumab group (n = 107). Medical records were gathered and analyzed between September, 2020 and September, 2021. Results. No significant difference was detected in clinical and biological parameters at admission between the two studied groups. Interestingly, we revealed here a significant improvement in respiratory parameters as well as biological findings such as hemoglobin (p=0.001), platelets (p=0.005), CRP (p=0.0001), fibrinogen (p=0.0001), and creatinine (p=0.002). Regarding the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and 28-day mortality, we showed a significant decrease of these two parameters following 48 hr of drug administration (p=0.0001, respectively). No significant difference between the two groups regarding complications except the renal failure and the need for renal replacement therapy, which are higher in the standard group as compared to patients treated with Tocilizumab (p=0.02; p=0.0001, respectively). Conclusions. Treatment with TCZ seems to be safe and effective in reducing the mortality rate in severe COVID-19 patients.
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spelling doaj-art-7a45b559edb0482cb7fd9596e7c7d70d2025-08-20T03:35:41ZengWileyJournal of Immunology Research2314-71562024-01-01202410.1155/2024/2585821Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 PatientsKhadija Bahrini0Hamza Ben Cheikh Larbi1Mouna Ben Azaiez2Nejla Stambouli3Mohamed Zakraoui4Sana Boughariou5Mohamed Ali Yousfi6Iheb Labbene7Mayssa Daiki8Hédi Gharsallah9Chihebeddine Romdhani10Mustapha Ferjani11Research Unit UR17DN05Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive CareDepartment of ImmunologyResearch Unit UR17DN05Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive CareDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive CareDepartment of PharmacyUniversity Tunis El ManarDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive CareResearch Unit UR17DN05University Tunis El ManarUniversity Tunis El ManarBackground. COVID-19 is the major cause of serious acute respiratory complications, leading to strong perturbation of cytokine release and high levels of interleukin-6. In this work, we assessed the efficacy and safety of Tocilizumab in Tunisian patients with severe COVID-19. Materials and Methods. We enrolled in this retrospective study 255 critically ill patients in the intensive care unit of the military hospital of Tunis. These patients were categorized into a standard group (n = 148) and a Tocilizumab group (n = 107). Medical records were gathered and analyzed between September, 2020 and September, 2021. Results. No significant difference was detected in clinical and biological parameters at admission between the two studied groups. Interestingly, we revealed here a significant improvement in respiratory parameters as well as biological findings such as hemoglobin (p=0.001), platelets (p=0.005), CRP (p=0.0001), fibrinogen (p=0.0001), and creatinine (p=0.002). Regarding the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and 28-day mortality, we showed a significant decrease of these two parameters following 48 hr of drug administration (p=0.0001, respectively). No significant difference between the two groups regarding complications except the renal failure and the need for renal replacement therapy, which are higher in the standard group as compared to patients treated with Tocilizumab (p=0.02; p=0.0001, respectively). Conclusions. Treatment with TCZ seems to be safe and effective in reducing the mortality rate in severe COVID-19 patients.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/2585821
spellingShingle Khadija Bahrini
Hamza Ben Cheikh Larbi
Mouna Ben Azaiez
Nejla Stambouli
Mohamed Zakraoui
Sana Boughariou
Mohamed Ali Yousfi
Iheb Labbene
Mayssa Daiki
Hédi Gharsallah
Chihebeddine Romdhani
Mustapha Ferjani
Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Journal of Immunology Research
title Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
title_full Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
title_fullStr Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
title_short Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Treatment in Tunisian Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
title_sort efficacy and safety of tocilizumab treatment in tunisian critically ill covid 19 patients
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/2585821
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