COVID-19 treatments have long-term benefits for patients

Drugs used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients in hospital have long-term benefits, according to new research. The study, published in JAMA , found that treating critically ill patients with the drugs tocilizumab and sarilumab reduced the risk of dying over six months by a quarter, compared to those who did not receive these treatments. The researchers also found that patients who received antiplatelet treatments - drugs like aspirin to prevent blood clots - had a higher probability of improved survival at six months compared to those who did not receive the treatments, although the effects were smaller. "The results of our study are encouraging and important as they show that tocilizumab, sarilumab and antiplatelet treatments do improve outcomes at six months, improving quality of life, as well as survival, and reducing disability." Professor Anthony Gordon - The study, led by researchers at the University of Monash and Imperial College London, is the largest randomised trial to report on the effects of COVID-19 treatments on long-term survival and quality of life. Professor Anthony Gordon, senior author of the study and Chair in Anaesthesia and Critical Care at Imperial College London, said: "As clinicians, the initial priority in the pandemic was to find treatments that had immediate benefits for critically ill patients with COVID-19 and could save their lives. However, many patients who are discharged from hospital report a reduced quality of life and disability as a result of the virus.