Results
A total of 447 adult covid patients hospitalised in the COVID ward were
included in the study between March 7 and July 8, 2020. Flow chart of
the study was demonstrated as Figure-1 (Figure 1). None of the adverse
effects related to QCB supplement was observed in participants.
The most common symptoms at presentation were fatigue (62.4), cough
(61.1%), anorexia (57%), thirst (53.7%), respiratory distress (51%)
and chills (48.3%; Table 1).
There was no significant difference in gender and age distribution
between the standard treatment group and the standard treatment plus QCB
group (p = 0.30; p = 0.19). In terms of comorbid diseases, the standard
treatment plus QCB group had a significantly higher number of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis infection cases (p
= 0.02; p = 0.07), though there was no significant difference in terms
of other diseases. Both groups did not differ in terms of smoking (p =
0.34; Table 2). Pulmonary findings in the standard therapy plus QCB
group were significantly more severe than in the standard therapy group
(p = 0.04; Table 2). The proportion of patients with an oxygen
saturation <93 mmHg at admission and/or follow-up was
significantly higher in the group receiving standard therapy plus QCB (p
= 0.021; Table 2). Nasopharyngeal swab SARS CoV2 PCR result was positive
in 40-50% of cases for both groups (p = 0.84; Table 2).
The decrease in the levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and
ferritin were significantly higher in the group that received standard
treatment plus QCB compared to the other group (Pcrp = 0.001;
Pprocalcitonin = 0.004; Pferritin = 0.021; Table 3, Figure 2). Also, the
increase in thrombocyte and lymphocyte count was significantly higher in
the group receiving standard therapy plus QCB (Pplatelet = 0.009,
Plymphocyte = 0.014; Table 3). It was found that the addition of QCB to
the standard therapy/routine care did not reduce the risk of events
during the service follow-up period (Omnibus tests of model coefficients
p = 0.028, Hazard Ratio: 0.180, p = 0.094, (0.024–1.34); Table 4).
After adjustment for the conditions (CCT lung stage, oxygen saturation,
favipiravir use, presence of comorbid chronic disease), similar results
were observed between the groups (statistically significantly different
values were persisted same as the previous). Therefore, QCB supplement
found to be effective in the treatment of COVID-19.