Effectiveness and Safety of Pirfenidone and Nintedanib for Pulmonary Fibrosis in COVID-19-Induced Severe Pneumonia: An Interventional Study

Abstract

Background After a diagnosis of two to five years, the survival length for pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is considered to be medium. The primary objective of PF treatment is to stabilize or minimize the pace of progression of the illness. The treatment of PF by nintedanib and pirfenidone was a breakthrough. In a group of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced PF patients, we examined the efficacy of pirfenidone and nintedanib. Methodology From May 2021 to April 2022, 5,000 patients receiving antifibrotic treatment with pirfenidone or nintedanib (mean age of 78.3 +/- 23.8) for PF were identified. Their clinical and functional information was retrospectively examined at zero, six, and twelve months of therapy. Results The average age of patients receiving nintedanib was greater than the average age of the pirfenidone group (p < 0.0001). Exertional dyspnea and dry cough, with no distinction between the two groups, were the most prevalent symptoms of the illness (p < 0.05). No significant changes between patients on pirfenidone and nintedanib were seen in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, total lung capacity, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide at zero or six months (p > 0.05). After one year, lung function measures were similar to the baseline in individuals treated with pirfenidone and nintedanib. This study highlights the appearance of both antifibrotic medicines as promising treatment options for functional stability in COVID-19-induced PF patients. Conclusions The patients affected by COVID-19 and undergoing fibrinolytic therapy may be well treated by any of the drugs with a significant improvement. Copyright © 2022, Choudhary et al.