By Hugo Francisco de SouzaApr 8 2024Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. In a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers evaluate the efficacy of nirmatrelvir in combination with ritonavir against the coronavirus disease 2019 .
Rapid global medical research and vaccination programs have significantly reduced the burden of COVID-19 by attenuating SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Currently, COVID-19 patients are treated symptomatically through general antiviral interventions; however, an extensive search for a COVID-19-specific cure is still in the clinical trials phase.
About the study In the current study, researchers evaluate the efficacy and side effects of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in non-hospitalized patients of various ages, ethnicities, and infection severity. For statistical analyses, randomization was stratified across vaccination status, geographic region, and COVID-19 symptom onset. Data collection included participants' sociodemographic, anthropometric, and medical records.
Study findings and relevance Of the 1,296 participants initially enrolled in the study, 1,288 individuals, 654 of whom received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and 634 placebo, provided completed data and were included in the statistical analyses. The study cohort primarily comprised women and individuals of the White ethnicity at 54% and 78.5%, respectively.