Citation
Fox, Matthew P.; D'Agostino McGowan, Lucy; James, Bryan D.; Lessler, Justin; Mehta, Shruti H.; & Murray, Eleanor J. (2021). Concerns about the Special Article on Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in High-Risk Outpatients with COVID-19. American Journal of Epidemiology, 190(4), 491-495. PMCID: PMC7499476Abstract
In May 2020, the Journal published an opinion piece by a member of the Editorial Board, in which the author reviewed several papers and argued that using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) + azithromycin (AZ) early to treat symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in high-risk patients should be broadly applied. As members of the Journal's Editorial Board, we are strongly supportive of open debate in science, which is essential even on highly contentious issues. However, we must also be thorough in our examination of the facts and open to changing our minds when new information arises. In this commentary, we document several important errors in the manuscript, review the literature presented, and demonstrate why it is not of sufficient quality to support scale up of HCQ + AZ, and then discuss the literature that has been generated since the publication, which also does not support use of this therapy. Unfortunately, the current scientific evidence does not support HCQ + AZ as an effective treatment for COVID-19, if it ever did, and even suggests many risks. Continuing to push the view that it is an essential treatment in the face of this evidence is irresponsible and harmful to the many people already suffering from infection.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwaa189Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2021Journal Title
American Journal of EpidemiologyAuthor(s)
Fox, Matthew P.D'Agostino McGowan, Lucy
James, Bryan D.
Lessler, Justin
Mehta, Shruti H.
Murray, Eleanor J.