Arthritis drugs cut relative risk of COVID-19 death

In a study of 792 patients in six countries, the addition of intravenous arthritis drugs to standard care for COVID-19 patients in intensive care reduced the relative risk of death by 24%.  Patients given either tocilizumab or sarilumab also left intensive care seven to 10 days earlier than patients in standard care. Researchers introduced the drugs because of established links between severe COVID-19 and dangerous levels of inflammation. The results of the clinical trial, called Remap-Cap, have not been peer-reviewed and published. (The Guardian article, 1/7/21)