Publication date: Jan 09, 2025

Post-COVID condition (PCC) is characterized by persisting symptoms after the resolution of acute COVID-19. Remdesivir (RDV), a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, has been widely used in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy. We aimed to evaluate the effects of RDV on PCC by assessing patient-reported and functional outcomes. We used the data from a single-center registry, including formerly hospitalized post-COVID patients (N = 293). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used (16 criteria, 1:1 ratio) to obtain two comparable groups: those who received standard-of-care (SOC, N = 94) and those treated with RDV in addition to SOC (SOC + RDV, N = 94). Primary outcomes were asymptomatic status and at least 50% symptom score reduction at post-COVID follow-up. Secondary outcomes included results of pulmonary function (PF) tests, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires. After PSM, baseline patient characteristics showed no significant differences between the two groups. Most patients were still symptomatic (60% vs. 66%). In the SOC + RDV group, the use of oxygen supplementation (94 vs. 80%, p = 0. 005) and steroids (97 vs. 88%, p = 0. 027) during infection were higher, while patients presented at their post-COVID visits earlier (median 68 vs. 97 days, p = 0. 003). Complete or at least 50% symptom resolution were reported at a significantly earlier stage after infection in the SOC + RDV group compared to the SOC group (multivariable-adjusted HR = 2. 28, 95% CI = 1. 33-3. 92, p = 0. 003; and HR = 2. 08, 95% CI = 1. 43-3. 02, p 

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