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. 2021 Jul-Sep:11:100755.
doi: 10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100755. Epub 2021 May 2.

The use of Janus Kinase inhibitors in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Indra Wijaya  1 , Rizky Andhika  2 , Ian Huang  3 , Aga Purwiga  3 , Kevin Yonatan Budiman  3 , Muhammad Hasan Bashari  4 , Lelani Reniarti  5 , Rully Marsis Amirullah Roesli  2
Affiliations

The use of Janus Kinase inhibitors in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Indra Wijaya et al. Clin Epidemiol Glob Health. 2021 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Background: The evidence of using JAK inhibitors among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is conflicting. The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to address the efficacy of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors in reducing risk of mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Several electronic databases, including PubMed, EuropePMC, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with relevant keywords "COVID-19″ AND ("JAK inhibitor" OR "Ruxolitinib" OR "Tofacitinib" OR "Fedratinib" OR "Baricitinib") AND ("Severe" OR "Mortality"), were used to perform a systematic literature search up to December 11, 2020. All studies pertinent to the predetermined eligibility criteria were included in the analysis. Our outcome of interest was all types of mortality, clinical improvement, and clinical deterioration. Dichotomous variables of our outcomes of interest were analyzed using Maentel-Haenszel formula to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with random-effects modeling regardless of heterogeneity.

Results: Five studies with a total of 1190 patients and were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The use of JAK inhibitors was associated with a reduced risk of mortality (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.93, P = 0.02; I2: 7.8%, P = 0.354) and clinical improvement (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.05-2.95, P = 0.032; I2: 26.4%, P = 0.253). The use of JAK inhibitors was not associated with a reduced risk of clinical deterioration (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.28-1.19, P = 0.136; I2: 24.1%, P = 0.267).

Conclusion: The use of JAK inhibitors was significantly associated with a reduced risk of mortality, and clinical improvement in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical outcome; Janus kinase inhibitors; Mortality; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flow diagram.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot showing overall effect estimates of Janus Kinase inhibitors and risk of mortality. OR: Odds Ratio; CI: Confidence Interval.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot showing overall effect estimates of Janus Kinase inhibitors and risk of clinical improvement. OR: Odds Ratio; CI: Confidence Interval.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot showing overall effect estimates of Janus Kinase inhibitors and risk of clinical deterioration. OR: Odds Ratio; CI: Confidence Interval.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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