Effects of previous exposure to different medications on clinical course
of COVID-19 patients in Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract
Aim: To examine the effects of drug use in the last 6 months before
contracting coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the clinical course
of COVID-19. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, which included
525 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March and November 2020
from four different family health centers in Istanbul, the records of
the patients were retrospectively analyzed. In addition to demographic
information, all medications used by the patients in the last 6 months
before the diagnosis of COVID-19 were noted. The effects of demographic
data and medications on the three main endpoints of the study, which
were hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and
mortality, were analyzed by using logistic regression models. Results:
Of the 525 COVID-19 patients included in the study, 109 (20.8%) were
hospitalized, 18 (3.4%) were treated in ICU, and 11 (2.1%) patients
died. While increasing age is associated with hospitalization, ICU
admission and mortality; also, the presence of COVID-19 thoracic
computed tomography (CT) findings and polypharmacy were associated with
an increased hospitalization; living alone and the presence of COVID-19
thoracic CT findings were associated with an increased ICU admission.
When adjusted for age and comorbidity, logistic regression models
revealed that medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) increased the
probability of hospitalization (OR=3.9, 95% CI 1.2-13.0), and calcium
channel blockers (CCBs) increased the probability of ICU admission
(OR=15.8, 95% CI 2.1-120.2) and mortality (OR=295.1, 95% CI
4.6-18946.6). Conclusion: Previously utilization of DM medications and
CCBs may have negative effects on the clinical course of COVID-19.