(1) On behalf of all the authors and @rheum_covid, @jeffsparks and I present the consequences of disseminating rapidly assembled studies, specifically the use #hydroxychloroquine in #COVID19. Now out on @AnnalsofIM. https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2764065/rush-judgment-rapid-reporting-dissemination-results-its-consequences-regarding-use">https://annals.org/aim/fulla...
(2) Bottom line: patients such as those with #SLE and #RA need #hydroxychloroquine to prevent disease flares and hospitalizations. Now they cannot get it due to an oversimplification and overinterpretation of data that does not justify its routine use in #COVID19 patients.
(3) We identified multiple issues with study design, bias, and confounding that render these data uninterpretable. An excellent analysis from @statsepi, @tmorris_mrc & @ProfSimonGates also breaks this down ( https://zenodo.org/record/3724167#.Xnj4cy2ZPUI)">https://zenodo.org/record/37... #COVID19 #Hydroxychloroquine
(4) Anecdote is not data, and the plural of anecdote is still not data. It remains unclear at this CURRENT MOMENT whether #hydroxychloroquine is effective for #COVID19. We hope it is, but until then, harm is occurring to patients who really need it b/c of sloppy interpretation.
(5) The main sink where inappropriate #hydroxychloroquine use is occurring with #COVID19 prophylaxis. Thus, we recommend that HCQ use should be primarily for systemic autoimmune diseases such as #SLE and #RA or within a properly designed investigational study in #COVID19 patients
(6) Compassionate use of #hydroxychloroquine for hospitalized #COVID19 patients should be reconsidered if the patients qualify to participate in proper clinical trials. Dr. Kalil from @UNMC_ID nicely argues this point here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763802">https://jamanetwork.com/journals/...
(7) @jeffsparks and I extend an immense amount of gratitude to those within the @rheum_covid alliance for their contributions to this effort: @rheum_cat @EBRheum @Larhumato @AliDuarteMD @SituationRheum @pekor002 @SattuiSEMD @emilysirotich @mugartegil @drkatiewebb @Drbeckyg
(FIN) @rheum_covid leadership ( @JYazdanyMD @philipcrobinson @psufka @zach_wallace_md @DrBhana @hausmannMD @emilysirotich @Drbeckyg) deserves a ton of credit for getting this alliance assembled in rapid, efficient fashion and will have very high impact moving forward.