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Confirmed cases for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have surpassed 50.8 million worldwide. As many countries begin to impose tighter blockades once again amid recurring cases, scientists are frantically trying to develop an effective treatment regimen for COVID-19 or antiviral disease to block SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Now, in new research, daily painkiller aspirin will be evaluated as a potential treatment for COVID-19 in one of the UK’s most significant studies, with the aim of assessing whether it can reduce the risk of blood clots in infected people.
Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a 120-year-old drug used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation. It is widely used in conditions such as pericarditis, Kawasaki disease, and rheumatic fever, among others.
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The RECOVERY process
Scientists reported that aspirin would be part of the world’s largest clinical trial of treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, called the Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 thERapY (RECOVERY) trial which is ongoing in 176 hospitals across the UK – and has enrolled more than 16,000 patients.
The RECOVERY study involves a number of potential treatments that have been suggested for COVID-19. It is still unclear whether any of the drugs under study could help people recover faster than the usual standard of hospital care. Suggested treatments include tocilizumab, azithromycin, low-dose dexamethasone, convalescent plasma, REGN-COV2 (monoclonal antibodies), and aspirin.
Addition of aspirin
People infected with SARS-CoV-2 appear to have overactive platelets, which are small, colorless fragments of cells in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding. This means that these patients are at an increased risk of life-threatening blood clots, which can lead to stroke.
Health experts believe that aspirin, which is also used as a platelet antiplatelet and blood thinner, may help reduce the chances of clotting complications during a COVID-19 infection.
“We felt it was particularly important to add aspirin to the study as there is a clear rationale for believing it could be useful, and is safe, inexpensive and widely available. We are looking for medicines for COVID-19 that can be used immediately by anyone, anywhere in the world. We don’t know if aspirin is such a drug, but we will find out, “said Professor Peter Horby, co-investigator of the RECOVERY trial and the Nuffield Department of Medicine.
At least 2,000 patients are expected to receive 15 mg of aspirin per day at random, along with their usual treatments. The researchers will compare data from these patients with 2,000 other patients who only received standard of care for COVID-19. Additionally, patients with aspirin sensitivity or allergy, with recent major bleeding or who have recently taken aspirin or other antiplatelet agents will be excluded from the study.
“Aspirin is widely used to prevent blood clot formation in many other conditions, including heart attack, stroke and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. But enrolling patients in a randomized trial such as RECOVERY is the only way to assess whether there are clear benefits for patients with COVID-19 and whether those benefits outweigh any potential side effects such as bleeding risk, “Professor Martin Landray, co-explained the leader of the RECOVERY trial and the Nuffield Department of Medicine.
The primary outcome of the RECOVERY study will assess mortality after 28 days. Other findings include the impact on hospital stay and the need for mechanical ventilation. The researchers noted that it may take several months before there is adequate evidence to conclude whether aspirin could benefit COVID-19 patients.
The decision to add aspirin to the list was made by Oxford University researchers leading the process, along with England’s medical director, Professor Chris Whitty. The decision comes after a recommendation made by the UK’s COVID-19 Therapeutics advisory group.
COVID-19 global situation
As COVID-19 cases, the UK has reached over 1.21 million confirmed cases and over 49,000 deaths. Meanwhile, also in Europe, France, Spain and Italy have seen a sharp increase in cases. They have over 1.85 million, 1.38 million, and 960,000 cases respectively.
Cases around the world have surpassed 50.8 million and the death toll has reached a staggering 1.26
.
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