Patient-Reported Adverse Events Among Elderly Patients Receiving Novel Oral COVID-19 Antivirals:A Nationwide Sampled Survey in Korea
10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e270
- Author:
Hyunah JUNG
1
;
Ji Yeon PARK
;
Dongwon YOON
;
Dong Yoon KANG
;
Jaehun JUNG
;
Ju Hwan KIM
;
Ju-Young SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Biohealth Regulatory Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2024;39(41):e270-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:There is a dearth of research on the factors linked with adverse events (AEs) associated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMVr) and molnupiravir (MOL), particularly in the elderly. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate self-reported AEs and identify factors associated with the occurrence of AEs following NMVr or MOL treatment among survey participants aged 60 years or older in South Korea.
Methods:This nationwide survey was conducted through in-person interviews using structured questionnaires, from July 24 to August 31, 2023. Eligible participants included individuals aged 60 years or older who had been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and received NMVr or MOL. The study outcomes included self-reported demographic, lifestyle, and health characteristics associated with the occurrence of AEs.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each characteristic in participants with and without AEs.
Results:Of the 520 participants, 123 (23.7%) experienced at least one AE with oral COVID-19 treatment: 21.0% (96/458) for NMVr and 43.5% (27/62) for MOL. None of the participants reported any serious AEs. Increased odds of AE occurrence were observed in participants treated with MOL compared to those treated with NMVr (aOR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.67–5.57), a history of two or more compared to one COVID-19 diagnosis (1.93; 1.03–3.62), and selfreported health status as “Unhealthy” compared to “Healthy” (2.65; 1.31–5.36).
Conclusion:No AEs required further evaluation to change treatment strategies in elderly patients on NMVr or MOL. Several factors, including the use of MOL, history of COVID-19, and reported health status, were associated with an increased incidence of AEs. Both treatments may still be useful choices for patients with non-severe COVID-19 aged 60 years or older. However, close monitoring of unidentified potential harm and further investigation of the factors associated with the occurrence of AEs are needed.
