[ad_1]
Greek health experts from the Ministry of Health have given the green light for the administration of colchicine, a well-known and heart drug, to be included in the oral treatment protocol for patients hospitalized with Covid-19.
The approval was reportedly given following the results of a remarkable Canadian study in which Greece also participated.
The Canadian COLCORONA study showed that administration of colchicine to covid-19 patients “reduced mortality by 44%, hospitalization by 25%, hospitalization and the need for mechanical ventilation by 50%” Professor of Cardiology and national coordinator for the Greek part of the study Spyros Defteraios explained.
According to the state-run Amna news agency, the Greek Committee has decided “to administer colchicine after medical prescription to certain categories of patients with a positive molecular test for coronavirus”.
The administration will be given to all patients over 60 years of age who have a positive molecular test, whether or not they have underlying diseases. In addition, patients aged 18 to 60 with at least one underlying health problem or fever over 38 years of age for at least 48 hours.
COVID-19 is often more severe in people 60 years of age and older or with underlying health conditions such as lung or heart disease, diabetes, or conditions affecting their immune systems.
The decision was made on Saturday and will be officially announced by the National Health Organization EODY.
The Canadian COLCORONA study was conducted among 4,500 patients with Covid-19.
Greece also participated in the study with the national coordinator, Professor Spyros Defteraios and members Sotiris Tsiodras, Panagiotis Gargalianos, D. Vrachatis and S. Giotakis, and activated centers in Athens, Kozani (Dr Eythalia Randou), Alexandroupoli (Prof. Periklis Panagopoulos) Thriasio Hospital (Dr Christoforos Olympios) and Patras (Prof. Markos Marangos).
The Canadian study follows the 1st randomized study published GRECCO-19 which involved 16 centers in Greece and the scientific contribution of Universities Humanitas Clinical Research Hospital (Italy), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (Spain), Mount Sinai (USA) , Yale (UNITED STATES)
Speaking to NAMA, Prof Gargalianos pointed out that the Canadian study confirmed the first results of the European study.
“We clearly saw in this study a significant reduction in the need for hospitalization in patients who received the drug in the early stages of the disease, better disease progression and reduction in severe disease as well as a reduction in mortality.
The anti-inflammatory effect of colchicine has been known for years because it is a safe, inexpensive, and effective drug that cardiologists use, including in pericarditis.
Colchicine is believed to have therapeutic and anti-inflammatory properties in pericarditis, it has been used for over 100 years. Its administration to Covid-19 patients began when scientists believed it would protect the body from the negative inflammatory side effects created by SARS-CoV-2.
The study was launched in March 2020 and cost $ 14 million. The government of Quebec and several organizations funded the study.
[ad_2]
Source link