Author: Frank Domino, MD in collaboration with Aylin Madore, MD
I stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 news and am regularly compiling a list of articles published that are relevant to your primary care practice. Read the insights below from recently published articles in less than two minutes.
Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Risk of Adverse Clinical Outcomes From COVID‐19: a Meta‐Analysis
An October 2020 meta-analysis of high-quality studies, including a combined 37,000+ patients, found an increased risk of severe or fatal course of COVID‐19 with use of PPIs compared to nonuse of PPIs (pooled OR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.34–1.60). There was a significantly increased odds for development of secondary infections in those on PPIs with COVID‐19 compared to those not on PPIs (pooled OR = 2.91; 95% CI 1.58–5.36).
Do Proton Pump Inhibitors Influence SARS-CoV-2 Related Outcomes? A Meta-Analysis
A November 2020 meta-analysis reviewed data on 145,000+ patients and found a non-significant increase in COVID-19 infection risk, but did find current or regular PPI users were more likely to have severe outcomes of COVID-19 than PPI non-users, with a pooled OR of 1.67 (95% CI 1.19 to 2.33, p=0.003).
AZD1222 Vaccine Met Primary Efficacy Endpoint in Preventing COVID-19
University of Oxford and AstraZeneca announced their vaccine has demonstrated between 62% and 90% efficacy; the better outcome was found with a low-dose initial vaccine followed by a higher dose one month later with no significant adverse effects. This vaccine can be stored and transported in normal refrigerated conditions (2-8 degrees Celsius, or 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit, for at least six months).
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes First COVID-19 Test for Self-Testing at Home
On November 17, 2020, the US FDA granted emergency use authorization to a self-administered, rapid, at-home COVID-19 test made by Lucira. When it becomes available, it will require a prescription and is indicated for those 14 years and older. Sample collection and the testing are performed at home.
The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel’s Statement on the Emergency Use Authorization of Bamlanivimab for the Treatment of COVID-19
The NIH has stated: “At this time, there are insufficient data to recommend either for or against the use of bamlanivimab for the treatment of outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Bamlanivimab should not be considered the standard of care for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.”
Immunological Memory to SARS-CoV-2 Assessed for Greater Than Six Months After Infection
A recent report on 185 adults who recovered from COVID-19 (most of which had mild symptoms) found that levels of spike-specific memory B cells increased over the initial 4-6 months; SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG titers showed only modest declines at 6–8 months.
For more insights, view our collection of COVID-19 resources and CME courses. We recognize it is critical that you have access to timely, reliable information, so we are working hard to release new content in collaboration with our team of infectious disease experts, medical specialists, and primary care clinicians like Dr. Frank Domino.
