Efficacy of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19 infection: a meta-review of systematic reviews and an updated meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo synthesize findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy and safety of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with or without Azithromycin for treating COVID-19, and to update the evidence using a meta-analysis. MethodsA comprehensive search was carried out in electronic databases for systematic reviews, meta-analyses and experimental studies which investigated the efficacy and safety of CQ, HCQ with or without Azithromycin to treat COVID-19. Findings from the reviews were synthesised using tables and forest plots and the quality effect model was used for the updated meta-analysis. The main outcomes were mortality, the need for intensive care services, disease exacerbation, viral clearance and occurrence of adverse events. ResultsThirteen reviews with 40 primary studies were included. Two meta-analyses reported a high risk of mortality, with ORs of 2.2 and 3.0, and the two others found no association between HCQ and mortality. Findings from two meta-analyses showed that HCQ with Azithromycin increased the risk of mortality, with similar ORs of 2.5. The updated meta-analysis of experimental studies showed that the drugs were not effective in reducing mortality (RR 1.1, 95%CI 1.0-1.3, I2 =0.0%), need for intensive care services (OR 1.1, 95%CI 0.9-1.4, I2 =0.0%), virological cure (OR 1.5, 95%CI 0.5-4.4, I2 =39.6%) or disease exacerbation (OR 1.2, 95%CI 0.3-5.9, I2 =31.9%) but increased the odds of adverse events (OR 12,3, 95%CI 2.5-59.9, I2 =76.6%). ConclusionThere is conclusive evidence that CQ and HCQ, with or without Azithromycin are not effective in treating COVID-19 or its exacerbation. RegistrationPROSPERO: CRD42020191353