Since 2012, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) caused multiple outbreaks in Saudi Arabia. A high morbidity and mortality, and the lack of proven effective therapies, create a need to evaluate the outcome of different therapeutic combinations.
Methodology
A Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among MERS-CoV referral Centers in Saudi Arabia. All MERS-CoV patients that met the considerations of laboratory Confirmed cases in MERS-Centers during the year of 2017.
Results
Eighty-five patient were included. Patients were mostly males (73%), the mean age was 50 years, Healthcare workers (20%), and Camel contact (12%). (64%) patients had underlying comorbid disease, including Hypertension (40%), Diabetes (39%), and End stage renal disease (18%). Common symptoms were cough (56%), fever (46%), and shortness of breath (40%) Primary-Secondary Ratio of 1:1. mortality rate was (34%). Three major regimen were used, Oseltamivir alone (33%) [P-Value 0.029], Combination of Interferon and Ribavirin (24%) [P-Value 0.589], and Supportive therapy without antiviral (21%) [P-Value 0.033].
Conclusion
Death rate (34%) was decreased since 2013, and it is associated with female gender and working as a healthcare worker. Using Interferon and Ribavirin as a combination does not promote survival rate. However, the use of Oseltamivir or supportive individually rise it significantly.