Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Prevention Is Better Than Care. Clinical and Economic Implications of Oral Antiviral Agents in COVID 19: A Prospective Study

Version 1 : Received: 10 August 2023 / Approved: 11 August 2023 / Online: 11 August 2023 (13:23:50 CEST)

How to cite: Pietrantonio, F.; Rosiello, F.; Ruggeri, M.; Materazzo, M.; La Fazia, V.M.; Pierucci, N.; Iodice, R.; Granvillano, G.; Cicerchia, L.M.; Maurici, M.; Delli castelli, M.; Vinci, F.; Ciamei, A.; Sabato, M.; Sparta, A.; Acco, D.; Fortunato, L.; Cattaruzza, M.S.; Vinci, A.; Lordi, M.; Cipriano, E. Prevention Is Better Than Care. Clinical and Economic Implications of Oral Antiviral Agents in COVID 19: A Prospective Study. Preprints 2023, 2023080948. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0948.v1 Pietrantonio, F.; Rosiello, F.; Ruggeri, M.; Materazzo, M.; La Fazia, V.M.; Pierucci, N.; Iodice, R.; Granvillano, G.; Cicerchia, L.M.; Maurici, M.; Delli castelli, M.; Vinci, F.; Ciamei, A.; Sabato, M.; Sparta, A.; Acco, D.; Fortunato, L.; Cattaruzza, M.S.; Vinci, A.; Lordi, M.; Cipriano, E. Prevention Is Better Than Care. Clinical and Economic Implications of Oral Antiviral Agents in COVID 19: A Prospective Study. Preprints 2023, 2023080948. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0948.v1

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 represents a threat for frailty patients. Objective: Investigate efficacy, safety and economic value of treatment with Molnupiravir in a cohort of fragile patients affected by COVID-19. Methods: Observational, prospective study. The data collected allowed to assess efficacy and safety of Molnupiravir in real life, compare the results with a subgroup of patients treated with Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir and to effect a cost-effectiveness analysis. Results: In January-December 2022, 435 patients (225 males, 220 females; median age 72 years), were enrolled; 24 patients were unvaccinated, 280 patients had ≥2 risk factors. Molnupiravir appeared to give better results than the SOC both clinically and economically. In these patients in comparison with literature data or SOC, hospitalization was 2.5% vs 6.8% (p<0.005), overall adverse effects 14,3% vs 30.4% (p<0.0001), severe adverse effects 2.6 vs 6.9% (p<0.001), thus involving a potential total savings of about € 92.954 per patient (8% of standard of care cost). Conclusions: early Molnupiravir treatment helped fragile patients who partially responded to vaccine, or with absolute contraindications to vaccination, to overcome COVID-19 without the need of hospitalization. Molnupiravir represents a clinical and economic effective treatment, avoiding disease progression in old patients suffering from multiple pathologies and taking several drugs.

Keywords

Molnupiravir; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Nirmatrelvir; oral antiviral

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Internal Medicine

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