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. 2023 Apr 12;85(5):1468-1474.
doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000000392. eCollection 2023 May.

Deferoxamine in the management of COVID-19 adult patients admitted to ICU: a prospective observational cohort study

Abdulaziz M Almutary  1 , Saqer Althunayyan  2 , Amal S Bagalb  3 , Ahmed F Mady  4   5 , Latifa Alenazi  6 , Shahzad A Mumtaz  4 , Zahrah Al-Hammad  7 , Basheer Abdulrahman  4   3 , Mohammed A Al-Odat  4 , Huda Mhawish  4 , Waleed Th Aletreby  4 , Maymouna Altartouri  8 , Ziad A Memish  9   10   11
Affiliations

Deferoxamine in the management of COVID-19 adult patients admitted to ICU: a prospective observational cohort study

Abdulaziz M Almutary et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

COVID-19 infection is associated with high mortality, and despite extensive studying the scientific society is still working to find a definitive treatment. Some experts postulated a beneficial role of Deferoxamine.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 adult patients admitted to the ICU who received deferoxamine to those who received standard of care.

Methods: Prospective observational cohort study, in the ICU of a tertiary referral hospital in Saudi Arabia to compare all-cause hospital mortality between COVID-19 patients who received deferoxamine and standard of care.

Results: A total of 205 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 50.1±14.3, 150 patients received standard of care only, and 55 patients received deferoxamine additionally. Hospital mortality was lower in deferoxamine group (25.5 vs. 40.7%, 95% CI=1.3-29.2%; P=0.045). Clinical status score upon discharge was lower in deferoxamine group (3.6±4.3 vs. 6.2±4, 95% CI: 1.4-3.9; P<0.001), as was the difference between discharge score and admission score (indicating clinical improvement). More patients admitted with mechanical ventilation were successfully extubated in the deferoxamine group (61.5 vs. 14.3%, 95% CI: 15-73%; P=0.001), with a higher median ventilator-free days. There were no differences between groups in adverse events. Deferoxamine group was associated with hospital mortality [odds ratio=0.46 (95% CI: 0.22-0.95); P=0.04].

Conclusions: Deferoxamine may have mortality and clinical improvement benefits in COVID-19 adults admitted to ICU. Further powered and controlled studies are required.

Keywords: COVID-19; critically ill; deferoxamine; mortality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial conflict of interest with regard to the content of this report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patients’ enrollment flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Survival analysis of both groups. Deferoxamine group median survival=40 days (95% CI: 24–40 days) SOC group median survival=22 days (95% CI: 17–31 days). SOC, standard of care.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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