The study started with 181 patients, but 42 were excluded because of comorbid conditions that could have impacted recovery time, 14 were unwilling to participate in the study, and 9 failed to participate. The remaining 116 had mild to moderate degrees of illness with normal or near normal chest radiograph and oxygen saturation of over 95%, who were all treated as an outpatient protocol.
Participants were divided into 2 groups: group A receiving 200 ugm/kg single dose Ivermectin and 100 mg BID of Doxycycline for 10 days; and group B receiving 400 mg of Hydroxychloroquine on the first day followed by 200 mg for 9 days plus 500 mg of Azithromycin for 5 days. Both groups received standard care for any complaints such as fever, headache, cough, they were advised on proper nutrition, hydration, and to self isolate in sanitary conditions. Patients were evaluated every 2 days starting from the fifth day or the second non-symptomatic day from the first day of the treatment intake by PCR study or nasopharyngeal and throat swab.
Group A Ivermectin/ Doxycycline experienced a 100% recovery rate, with a mean symptomatic recovery of 5.93 days and a negative PCR on 8.93 days. 55.10% gained symptomatic recovery on day 5 with a mild degree of adverse effect in 31.67% with reports of lethargy in 14 patients, nausea in 11, and occasional vertigo in 7 patients.
Group B Hydroxychloroquine/Azithromycin experienced a 96.36% recovery rate, with a mean symptomatic recovery of 6.99 days and a negative PCR on 9.33 days with some degree of adverse effects with reports of mild types of blurry vision and headaches in 13 patients, increased lethargy and dizziness in 22 patients, occasional palpitation in 10, and nausea and vomiting in 9 patients.
The Upazila Health & Family Planning Officer’s (UHFPO) Office, Chakoria, Cox’s Bazar in collaboration with Abu Taiub Mohammad Mohiuddin Chowdhury, First Affiliated Hospital Xi’an Jiaotong University in China researchers came to the conclusion that in regards to COVID-19 treatment outcomes, adverse effects, and safety the Ivermectin/ Doxycycline combination therapy was observed to superior to the Hydroxychloroquine/Azithromycin combination therapy in the cases of mild to moderate degree illness in patients. It was noted that both the Chinese and Bangladeshi teams found both of the treatments to be effective in this study, but one was superior to the other, according to the research teams.
