Effectiveness of Antiviral Drugs in Reducing Inflammation Levels in Covid-19 Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at Dr. Soedomo Trenggalek

Abstract

COVID-19 patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are particularly susceptible to severe outcomes due to immune system alterations, including systemic inflammation and elevated levels of leukocytes and CRP, which significantly heighten the risk of mortality. This study employed an observational cross-sectional design with purposive sampling to evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral drugs in reducing inflammation among COVID-19 patients with CKD at Dr. Soedomo Regional Hospital, Trenggalek. A retrospective analysis of secondary data from patient medical records was conducted using the Wilcoxon test. The study included 50 respondents, predominantly male (74%), with 60% over 50 years old, all classified as critical cases. Favipiravir was administered to 64% of patients, while Remdesivir was administered to 36%. The results indicated that antiviral drugs effectively reduced inflammation, as evidenced by a significant increase in leukocyte count (p-value 0.000). However, concerns were raised regarding kidney function, as 88% of patients showed an increase in ClCr (p-value 0.842), suggesting no significant improvement in kidney function. The findings underscore the need for cautious use of antiviral drugs in this vulnerable patient population, and further research is recommended to refine treatment strategies and improve outcomes