Effects of convalescent plasma treatment in patients with COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors

  • Fernando Tortosa Ministerio de Salud de Río Negro, Argentina
  • Gabriela Carrasco Red Argentina Pública de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias
  • Martín Ragusa Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Juan A. Fernández, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
  • Pedro Haluska Hospital Área Programa San Carlos de Bariloche “Ramón Carrillo”, Bariloche, Argentina
  • Ariel Izcovich Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 drug treatment, COVID-19 serotherapy, Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that treatment with convalescent plasma in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) improves the clinical course in moderate to severe cases. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of this treatment compared to standard treatment or placebo on mortality, admission to mechanical ventilation, and other critical outcomes in people hospitalized with moderate to severe COVID-19. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were followed to carry out a systematic review. A systematic search was carried out on the L·OVE (Living OVerview of Evidence) platform for COVID-19 until January 15, 2021. Clinical trials were included in which people with moderate, severe or critical COVID-19 were studied. The certainty of the evidence was analyzed using the recommendation evaluation, development and evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: We identified 10 randomized controlled trials involving 11 854 patients in which convalescent plasma treatment and standard measures of care or placebo were compared in patients with COVID-19. These did not show significant differences on mortality (relative risk: 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 0.94-1.12). It could produce a marginal increase in admission to mechanical ventilation and serious adverse events. DISCUSSION: Current evidence shows that the use of convalescent plasma has no effect on critical outcomes in patients with moderate or severe COVID-19.

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Published

10-05-2021

How to Cite

Tortosa, F., Carrasco, G., Ragusa, M. ., Haluska, P. ., & Izcovich, A. . (2021). Effects of convalescent plasma treatment in patients with COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis . Revista Argentina De Salud Pública, 13, e28. Retrieved from https://rasp.msal.gov.ar/index.php/rasp/article/view/624