Abstract
Background: In recent years, the therapeutic options for COVID have significantly improved; however, the therapies are expensive with restricted access to drugs, and expeditious and difficult to manage at home. We investigated the effect of pidotimod in preventing hospitalization in patients with mild-moderate COVID-19. Methods: A total of 1231 patients between January and June 2021 were screened. A total of 184 patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 were enrolled and divided into two groups: group-A (97) had undergone therapy with pidotimod 800 mg bid for 7−10 days and group-B (87) had other therapies. We excluded those who had undergone complete vaccination course, monoclonal anti-spike/antivirals or the co-administration of pidotimod-steroid. The primary outcome chosen was the emergency room, hospitalization, and deaths for COVID-related causes; the secondary outcome chosen was the duration of COVID-19 illness. Results: A total of 34 patients (18.5%) required hospital treatment, 11 in group-A and 23 in group-B (11.3% vs. 26.4%, p = 0.008). The median disease duration in group-A was 21 days (IQR 17−27) vs. 23 (IQR 20−31) in group-B (p = 0.005). Patients in the pidotimod group had higher SpO2 in the walking test (IQR 96−99% vs. IQR 93−98%, p = 0.01) and a lower need for steroid rescue therapy (11.5% vs. 60.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In the first phase of disease, pidotimod can represent an effective, low-cost, weapon, without restrictions of use, that is able to prevent a second aggressive phase and promote faster virological recovery.