Similar associations with tocilizumab were noted among subgroups requiring mechanical ventilatory support and with baseline C-reactive protein of 15 mg/dL or higher. In the primary multivariable Cox regression analysis with propensity matching, an association was noted between receiving tocilizumab and decreased hospital-related mortality (HR 0♶4, 95% CI 0♴7-0♸7 p=0♰040). Overall median survival from time of admission was not reached (95% CI 23 days-not reached) among patients receiving tocilizumab and was 19 days (16-26) for those who did not receive tocilizumab (hazard ratio 0♷1, 95% CI 0♵6-0♸9 p=0♰027). 358 (57%) of 630 patients died, 102 (49%) who received tocilizumab and 256 (61%) who did not receive tocilizumab. 630 patients were included in the propensity score-matched population, of whom 210 received tocilizumab and 420 did not receive tocilizumab. Factors associated with receiving tocilizumab were patients' age, gender, renal function, and treatment location. The prospective observational database is registered on, NCT04347993.īetween March 1 and April 22, 2020, 764 patients with COVID-19 required support in the ICU, of whom 210 (27%) received tocilizumab. The primary endpoint was hospital-related mortality. We applied a multivariable Cox model with propensity score matching to reduce confounding effects. We obtained data from a prospective observational database and compared outcomes in patients who received tocilizumab with those who did not. We included patients (aged ≥18 years) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who needed support in the ICU. We did a retrospective observational cohort study at 13 hospitals within the Hackensack Meridian Health network (NJ, USA). We aimed to investigate the association between tocilizumab exposure and hospital-related mortality among patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) support for COVID-19. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the interleukin-6 receptor, has been proposed to mitigate the cytokine storm syndrome associated with severe COVID-19.
15 Ocean Medical Center, Brick Township, and Southern Ocean Medical Center, Stafford Township, NJ, USA.14 Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ, USA.13 Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge, and Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, NJ, USA.12 Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ, USA.11 Bayshore Medical Center, Holmdel, NJ, USA.10 JFK Medical Center, Edison, NJ, USA.9 Pascack Valley Medical Center, Westwood, NJ, USA.
8 Mountainside Medical Center, Glen Ridge, NJ, USA.7 Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA.