Paxlovid TM reduces the incidence of pneumonia, hospitalization, and death in a cohort of COVID-19 patients from northeast Mexico

Abstract

BackgroundInformation on PaxlovidTM effectiveness must be monitored and updated in real world scenarios. Our research question was what is the effectiveness of PaxlovidTM in adult patients with COVID-19? Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of PaxlovidTM on reducing the incidence of pneumonia, hospitalization, and mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 positive adult patients from northeast Mexico. MethodsA retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 positive adult patients from Nuevo Leon, Mexico from December 2020 to May 2023 (after Omicron BA-5 circulation) was performed. Paxlovid™ use was authorized in September 2022. Therefore, we analyzed effectiveness in patients with confirmed diagnosis who met selection criteria between September 2022 and May 2023 (n = 20,799; 5,673 with and 15,126 without PaxlovidTM). ResultsThe pneumonia (0.1% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.0001), hospitalization (0.1% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.0001), and death rates (0.04% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.0001) were lower in patients with PaxlovidTM treatment independently of age, sex, comorbidity, and COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccination history. Effectiveness was 88.2%, 95.9% y 91.9% for pneumonia, hospitalization, and death, respectively. ConclusionsPaxlovidTM reduces the presentation of pneumonia, hospitalization, and death secondary to COVID-19. It is recommended to continue monitoring PaxlovidTM effectiveness, as other SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge.