Trial ISRCTN40302986
Publication IVERCOVID - Babalola OE, QJM (2021) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-06-22 to 2020-09-22
Funding: Private (Rachel Eye Center, Abuja; Crystal Optics (Nig) Ltd.)
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Double blinded, no restrictions | |
Location :
Single center / Nigeria Follow-up duration (days): 14 | |
Inclusion criteria |
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Exclusion criteria |
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Interventions | |
Treatment
Ivermectin 6 mg orally twice a week for 2 weeks Ivermectin 6mg 6 mg orally twice a week for 2 weeks Ivermectin 12 mg 12 mg orally twice a week for 2 weeks |
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Control
Lopinavir-ritonavir Lopinavir/ritonavir daily for 2 weeks | |
Participants | |
Randomized NR Analyzed 104 participants Ivermectin =42 Ivermectin 6mg=21 Ivermectin 12 mg=21 Lopinavir-ritonavir=20 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 104 Mean age : NR 58 males Severity : Mild: n=78 / Moderate: n=5 / Severe: n=0 Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Viral RNA load measured using quantitative branched DNA (bDNA), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and qualitative transcription-mediated amplification at baseline and 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 12, 14 days | |
In the report NR | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to the pre-print article, the trial registry and protocol were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The proof of concept study achieved its pre-stated sample size.
There is conflicting information between the report and its protocol. In the report, no placebo is described beyond the brief mention in the abstract. According to the report, patients in the control arm received Lopinavir/Ritonavir, which was not allowed for patients in the Ivermectin arms. In the protocol and registry, patients in the control arm were to receive an inactive placebo. The protocol also describes the administration of lopinavir/ritonavir to those in the control arm. As a result of lopinavir/ritonavir not being allowed for patients in the ivermectin arms, this treatment difference not only plausibly affected outcomes, but also compromised the blinding of physicians and study personnel. Furthermore, the number of tablets given to the patients would also likely reveal the treatment assignment to patients, since 2 tablets were given to those in the 3mg ivermectin group and 4 tablets to those in the 12mg group. The study was updated on March 23rd, 2021 with data from the QJM, without substantial changes. |