ICMR study: Plasma therapy not useful to combat COVID-19
The globe’s largest randomized control trial to evaluate plasma treatment for COVID-19 has revealed that it is not useful either in decreasing fatality or detaining the progression of the infection.
In 39 hospitals across 14 states and Union Territories, the trial, called PLACID, was carried out under the aegis of ICMR.
464 moderately ill people with breathing difficulties and oxygen saturation degree of less than 93% were included in the trial. Out of 464, 235 were offered convalescent plasma with antibodies versus SARS CoV2 received from donors who had recouped from the infection, while 229 received just basic treatment.
2 doses of 200 ml plasma 24-hour apart were administered to the intervention team. After 28 days both the intervention and control group were studied.
The results of the study are on a preprint server of health research. The study revealed that 34 patients or 13.6% who obtained plasma treatment died while 31 people or 14.6% that did not get it, died due to the infection. Additiona
lly, 17 people in each group proceeded to have a severe infection.Dr. Aparna Mukherjee, an ICMR scientist said that CP was not related to a decrease in fatality or development to extreme COVID-19.
The results of the study conclude that enormous significance as several state governments have proactively promoted the treatment as well as have set up plasma banks after the national COVID-19 clinical management protocol permitted it as an investigational treatment.
As the families of the sick scramble to arrange plasma in the hope of saving their loved ones, there is a thriving underground market for plasma in many parts of the country as kin of the unwell scramble to organize plasma in the hope of conserving their loved ones, a truth recognized in the research.
Physicians including Dr. Anupam Singh from Ghaziabad who have been using the treatment on COVID-19 positive people said that the results are unsatisfactory.
In regards to the reduction of some signs and symptoms, there was some small advantage. In the intervention arm, the percentage of patients with resolution of shortness of breath and fatigue on day 7 was greater, whereas high temperature and cough resolution were not different in both teams.
But, between the trial participants in two arms, there was no difference in total and post-enrollment duration of respiratory support, the proportion of patients requiring vasopressor support, and the proportion of patients requiring invasive ventilation.
The research study stated that even though the use of CP seemed to enhance the resolution of shortness of breath and fatigue, reduce FiO2 requirement in the first week, and led to the greater unfavorable conversion of viral RNA, this did not equate into a decrease in 28-day death or development to the extreme condition in moderate COVID-19 people.
ICMR study: Plasma therapy not useful to combat COVID-19
Author: Sruthi S
