Respiratory failure & ventilation
Low dose vs high dose tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure
Authors' conclusion
Compared to low dose tocilizumab, the high dose did not provide additional efficacy and mortality benefit but resulted in higher fungal and viral infections.
Study context
- Population
- COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure receiving tocilizumab with steroids, March 2020–August 2021analysed
- Participants
- 407 patients
- Exposure
- Low dose vs high dose tocilizumab, with steroids
- Outcome
- 28-day mortality
- Follow-up
- 28 days
Methodological detailsmultihospital, observational, propensity-matched analysis
- Multihospital
- Observational
- Propensity-matched analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- No difference in 28-day mortality
- Low dose vs High dose: P = 0.613
- Propensity-matched analysis
- Median dexamethasone equivalent dose 10 mg in both groups
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Baseline severity
- Low dose group significantly more ill at baseline (more vasopressors, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation)
Safety
Fungal and viral infections
- Higher rate in the high dose group
Original publication
Low dose vs high dose tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. J Crit Care. Published 10 April 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →