Effectiveness of Ivermectin in SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Patients

Background:The first case of Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were diagnosed in Wuhan, China in 2019. In the first half of 2020 this disease has already converted into a global pandemic. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of Ivermectin in mild cases of COVID-19 patients on the basis of predefined assessment criteria. Study Settings: Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore Study Design: Open label randomized control trial. Duration of Study: From 1st May, 2020 to 30th June, 2020.Patients & Methods: Sample size and technique: Sample size was 50 patients; 25 patients were kept in control group and 25 patients were kept in experimental group. Results: There were total 50 patients, divided into two groups case and control group.The mean age of the participants was 40.60 ± 17 and out of those 31 (62%) were male and 19 (38%) were females. Cough was observed more in case group (p= 0.049). Fever, myalgias and dyspnea were the commonest symptoms in both the groups (p= 1.000). Diarrhea and vomiting were more common in control group (p=0.0001, p= 0.042 respectively). On follow up at day 7, patients were stratified as asymptomatic and symptomatic. Amongst the case group, out of 25 patients, 16(64%) patients were asymptomatic and rest of the 9(36%) patients was asymptomatic. In control group, out of 25 patients, 15(60%) patients were asymptomatic and rest of the 10(40%) patients was asymptomatic. p-value (0.500). Statistically there was no significant difference between case group who were given ivermectin along with symptomatic treatment and control group who were only given symptomatic treatment without ivermectin, being asymptomatic on day 7 at follow up. p-value (0.500)