Hydroxychloroquine For Prophylaxis Of COVID-19 In Health Workers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

SUMMARY Health care workers are at high risk of being infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for prophylaxis of COVID19 in health personnel exposed to patients infected by SARS-COV-2. Methods Double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled single center clinical trial. Included subjects were health care workers caring for severe COVD19 patients. Main outcome was time to symptomatic SARS-CoV2 infection. Results 127 subjects with a confirmed baseline negative RT-PCR SARS-CoV2 test were included in the trial, 62 assigned to HCQ and 65 to placebo. One subject (1.6%) in the HCQ group and 6 (9,2%) subjects in the placebo group developed COVID-19. (Log Rank test p = 0.09). No severe COVID19 cases were observed. The study was suspended because of a refusal to participate and losses to follow up after several trials reported lack of effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSION Although the number of symptomatic infections in health personnel was lower in the HCQ group, the difference was not statistically significant. The trial is underpowered due to the failure to complete the estimated sample size.