(1) Background: Severe COVID-19 outcomes are associated with cytokine release syndrome, characterized by the release of several immune modulators, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Tocilizumab (TCZ) is an IL-6 receptor antagonist used to treat rheumatic arthritis. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCZ against COVID-19. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective study including 49 severe COVID-19 patients who received TCZ therapy in NMC Royal Hospital, UAE. (3) Results: Before Tocilizumab administration, the median temperature was 37.0 (IQR 36.0–39.6), and after day seven, the median reduced to 36.5 (IQR 35.8–37.9), p > 0.001. Thirty (61.2%) patients were admitted to the ICU, of which, eight (16.3%) were on WHO scale 4, sixteen (32.6%) on scale 5, and six (20.0%) on scale 6. TCZ reduced inflammatory markers over time, including CRP, D-Dimer, Ferritin, and Fibrinogen. By the end of week seven, 14 patients died (28.6%) while 35 (71.4%) improved and were discharged. (4) Conclusions: The study showed limited improvements in COVID-19 outcomes with TCZ therapy and highlighted the importance of D-Dimer monitoring for possible risk of thrombosis. Additionally, it could be recommended to upgrade the anti-coagulation dose to therapeutic levels once TCZ therapy is decided upon.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation, thrombosis, Tocilizumab, D-dimer, Interlukin-6, 【초록키워드】 Arthritis, therapy, IL-6, risk, CRP, outcome, immune, ICU, Cytokine release syndrome, improvement, Retrospective study, therapeutic, Patient, Efficacy and safety, WHO, temperature, Inflammatory marker, administration, dose, IL-6 receptor, treat, Seven, evaluate, eight, reduced, characterized, discharged, IQR, patients died, severe COVID-19 patient, TCZ, the median,