Remdesivir: Real-World Effectiveness and Safety in Individuals Hospitalized for Non-COVID Reasons and Non-Hospitalized High-Risk Patients During the Omicron Era in Greece
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Remdesivir is recommended for hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 and for those at high risk of progression. Real-world Omicron-era data on incidental COVID-19 and high-risk outpatients remain limited. We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study (ReEs-COVID19) in Greece (June–December 2022) including adults with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who received remdesivir. Hospitalized patients with incidental COVID-19 (Group A, n = 138) and high-risk outpatients (Group B, n = 312) were analysed. Outcomes included clinical deterioration, mortality, and adverse events. Group A patients were older with more comorbidities. Remdesivir was initiated earlier in Group A (median 1 vs. 2 days) but with a more heterogeneous duration (48.9% vs. 97.8% in Group B, which received the standard 3-day regimen). Clinical deterioration due to COVID-19 occurred in 5.8% vs. 0.6%, and 30-day mortality was 18.1% (25/138) in Group A, including 10 COVID-19-related deaths (7.2%). Group B had two deaths (0.6%), none COVID-19-related. Adverse events were uncommon, with mild kidney injury in 3.6% of Group A and hepatotoxicity in 2.2% vs. 0.3%. In high-risk outpatients, the ReEs-COVID19 study confirmed the effectiveness and safety of remdesivir’s profile. Among incidental cases, two distinct disease patterns were identified, associated with different remdesivir regimens and highlighting the importance of comorbidities and the need for tailored clinical interventions.
Source: Microorganisms
Authors: Nikos Pantazis, Spyridon Kontos, Evmorfia Pechlivanidou, Nikolaos V. Sipsas, Diamantis Kofteridis, Periklis Panagopoulos, Vassiliki Rapti, Symeon Metallidis, Karolina Akinosoglou, Dimitra Kavatha, Haralampos Milionis, Ioannis Kalomenidis, Ioannis Katsarolis, Vasiliki E. Georgakopoulou, Vasileios Petrakis, Garyfallia Poulakou, Olga Tsachouridou, Markos Marangos, Anastasia Antoniadou, Eleni Polyzou, Eleni Papantoniou, Pinelopi Kazakou, Eirini Christaki, Theofani Rimpa, Sotirios P. Karagiannis, Giota Touloumi
Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Sotiria General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, University of Patras, General University Hospital of Patras, University General Hospital Attikon, University of Ioannina, University Hospital of Ioannina, Evangelismos Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Award: G5256473835
OpenAlex ID: W7128699850