More than 500 people treated in hospitals at North Cumbria Integrated Care Trust (NCIC) have taken part in a research trial to assess the effectiveness of treatments for COVID-19.
The trust says it is one of the top recruiters nationally to the Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 therapy (RECOVERY) trial which is coordinated by the University of Oxford.
Since its launch last March, the trial has delivered evidence on the efficacy of six treatments including the first major breakthrough in the COVID-19 response – the finding that dexamethasone saves the lives of severely ill patients.
RECOVERY has recently shown that tocilizumab – an anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis treatment – reduces the risk of death for hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19.
Researchers also found that the drug reduces the length of hospital admission and the risk of patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
The clinical research team consistently hit a recruitment rate for studies such as this one of up to 28 per cent, well above the national target of 10 per cent, which means the trust and its patients are helping to contribute to lifesaving research on a regular basis.
Dr Clive Graham, consultant medical microbiologist at NCIC said: “Recruitment to the RECOVERY Trial is a huge achievement for the trust and an example of the great teamwork by everyone involved in the recruiting of and facilitating of the trial.
“This kind of work is imperative in our ongoing fight against COVID-19, and we should be extremely proud we were able to offer so much support to this trial.”
RECOVERY is now the second NIHR-supported study to demonstrate the effectiveness of tocilizumab as a treatment for COVID-19 patients after results from the REMAP-CAP study last month showed that tocilizumab and a second similar drug called sarilumab have a significant impact on survival and can reduce the relative risk of death for critically ill patients in intensive care.
Professor Caroline Wroe, Clinical Director for NIHR Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria said: “The North East and north Cumbria has contributed so much to this pivotal trial.
“We are very proud of the achievements of the teams across the region and want to thank all the staff for their exceptional work and dedication. We also want to thank every participant who took part in the study and contributed to the success.”
