Özet:

Introduction: Elderly patients are among the most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although hydroxychloroquine and favipiravir, separately and in combination, have been used in the general population, their benefits are unclear, especially in the geriatric population. This study aims to compare the effects of different drug regimens on the clinical outcomes of elderly patients with COVID-19-related pneumonia. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted in a tertiary healthcare center between April 2020 and October 2020, included all patients over 65 years of age admitted to the emergency department with confirmed COVID-19-related pneumonia. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were recorded. The patients were classified into hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, and hydroxychloroquine plus favipiravir treatment groups. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the differences between the groups. The primary outcome was 30-day survival. The secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and the need for mechanical ventilation. Results: A total of 335 patients were included in the study; 144 were matched according to the propensity scores and divided into groups of 48 each. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups" survival curves. The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the favipiravir group. No significant difference was detected in mortality or the need for noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: The hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, and hydroxychloroquine plus favipiravir treatments had similar effects on 30-day survival, mortality, and the need for mechanical ventilation. The length of hospital stay was longer in the patients treated with favipiravir.

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