Emergency Use of Tocilizumab in Moderate and Severe COVID-19 Patients over the Prevaccination Stage during the Pandemic in Mexico

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has been associated with the overactivation of the immune system; interleukin-6 (IL-6) seems to have a key role, which made its moderation to be proposed as a therapeutic blank. Tocilizumab has been used as part of treatments to modulate the immune response to infections caused by COVID-19. Material and Methods. An observational, descriptive, retrospective, and transversal study was carried out in patients diagnosed with moderate-severe COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the 251 General Regional Hospital from March to December 2020. RESULTS: A review of 700 files corresponding to hospitalized patients was carried out, and a sample of 70 patients who met the inclusion criteria proposed for this protocol was obtained. Among the comorbidities associated with the disease, it was found that hypertensive patients have a higher mortality rate: 62% died and so did 59% of those who needed invasive respiratory support. As regards admission tests, statistical significance was found for the figures of leukocytes, neutrophils, glomerular filtration rate, and PCR. CONCLUSION: The use of this drug benefits mainly young nonhypertensive patients with a moderate disease and preserved renal functions with no need for invasive respiratory support, regardless of other comorbidities.