September 24, 2020

Decreased Mortality in COVID-19 Patients Treated with Tocilizumab: A Rapid Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): review, treatment

• Tocilizumab was associated with a lower mortality (RR:0.27, 95% CI: 0.12-0.59; risk difference 12%, 95% CI: 4.6%-20%) based on pooled data from 10 studies comprising 1358 patients with COVID-19. The number needed to treat was 11, suggesting that 1 death is prevented for every 11 patients with severe COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab. No differences in side effects were observed.

Malgie et al. (Sept 23, 2020). Decreased Mortality in COVID-19 Patients Treated with Tocilizumab: A Rapid Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1445