Real-Life Use of Tocilizumab in the Treatment of Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can progress to severe respiratory compromise and lead to mortality due to induction of cytokine storm. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). This study aims to analyze the outcomes among patients who received TCZ in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among COVID-19 patients who received TCZ in a tertiary care hospital from May 2020 to August 2021. For analysis, patients were divided into two groups based on survival and clinical improvement. RESULTS: Overall, 80% of patients receiving TCZ were discharged by day 28. There was a gradual improvement in oxygen requirements in our patients with a majority of them on room air by day 28. Age more than 50 years (P=0.034) and comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) (P=0.002) and renal insufficiency (P=0.013) were significantly associated with mortality. Discussion. In our analysis, patients who were mechanically ventilated at the time of administration of TCZ had a significantly higher risk of death by day 28. In both survived and improved groups, younger patients had better outcomes than older patients. Patients who received TCZ earlier during therapy from the onset of symptoms had better survival outcomes. There was only one death among 14 patients who received vaccination. There was no significant difference in mortality among patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and pulmonary diseases, hypothesizing that administration of TCZ improves the outcomes in COVID-19 patients with these comorbidities.