The Danish Pre-HCQ COVID Dialysis Study

The emergence of a novel betacoronavirus designated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global pandemic with profound implications for public health. Despite sweeping containment measures, spread of infection is ongoing, with potential ramifications pertaining to availability of health care resources. Preliminary data from Wuhan, China and Northern Italy indicate particular vulnerability of patients \>60 years with pre-existing comorbidity leading to increased risk of hospitalization and death. Currently, no specific treatment has demonstrated efficacy against infection with SARS-CoV-2 in a clinical trial. However, chloroquine has been shown to inhibit both viral entry and replication in infection with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro; albeit the specific mechanisms remain unchartered. Chloroquine is an amine acidotropic form of quinine. Previously a first-choice front-line drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of malaria, chloroquine remains one of the most prescribed drugs worldwide. The possible benefit of prophylactic treatment with hydroxychloroquine for mitigation of risk of manifest SARS-COV-2 remains untested. The on-going pandemic entails particular risk for patients on chronic dialysis; chronic dialysis is both associated with profound comorbidity but also requirement of continued ambulant hospital based treatment leading to increased exposure. Consequently, the potential benefit of preventative measures is greatly increased. Aims and objectives The main objective of the following multicenter parallel-group open-label randomized clinical trial aims to investigate the possible benefit of initiating prophylactic hydroxychloroquine versus no treatment in patients on chronic dialysis for mitigation of risk related to SARS-CoV-2. The anticipated results will provide evidence as to the appropriateness of initiating prophylactic treatment for prevention of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 in a vulnerable comorbid population with direct and immediate implications for clinical management and public health care beyond renal failure. Methods A total of 568 dialysis-treated patients with end-stage renal disease will be recruited from all dialysis centers (including satellites) in the Capital region. Patients will be randomized to either oral hydroxychloroquinesulphate 200mg once daily or no treatment for three months. The study is planned as a multicenter, open-label, parallel-group pragmatic randomized clinical study. Additionally, 100 participants on chronic in-center hemodialysis treatment will be invited to participate in a sub-study focused on SARS-CoV-2 screening and prevention. Patients will undergo screening based on oro-pharyngeal sampling twice weekly. If ≥ 20% of infected patients are identified prior to development of symptoms, results will be applied to advise early SARS-CoV-2 screening in all chronic in-center hemodialysis patients.