Arthritis drug reduces COVID-19 deaths in study

The arthritis drug tocilizumab has been shown to reduce deaths among patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 in a new study.

In the trial, 2,022 hospitalized COVID-19 patients received tocilizumab, while 2,094 patients received usual care; in the former group, 29 percent of patients died within 28 days, while 33 percent of patients died within 28 days in the latter group, BBC News reports. Eighty-two percent of patients were taking a systemic steroid like dexamethasone in the trial.

"This means that for every 25 patients treated with tocilizumab, one additional life would be saved," a news release said.

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Additionally, tocilizumab was shown to shorten the amount of time until patients are discharged from the hospital, as well as reduce the need for them to go on a mechanical ventilator, researchers said. The trial's joint chief investigator, Martin Landray, said that the results "clearly show the benefits of tocilizumab and dexamethasone in tackling the worst consequences of COVID-19 — improving survival, shortening hospital stay, and reducing the need for mechanical ventilators." Landray added that "used in combination, the impact is substantial."