A comparative retrospective study on the efficacy of Azvudine and Lianhua Qingwen capsules combination in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in China

The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare and analyse the efficacy of Azvudine (FNC) and Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) capsules in the treatment of mild and moderate cases of coronavirus infection in China. The combined approach is used to evaluate treatment effectiveness in COVID-19 patients by analysing clinical data and comparing treatment outcomes. The methodology includes an analysis of clinical data and a comparison of treatment outcomes using FNC, LHQW, and their combination (FNC+LHQW) for the treatment of COVID-19 in 307 patients undergoing inpatient care at a hospital in Zibo, China. According to the findings, combination therapy proved effective in treating COVID-19 by integrating antiviral and supportive treatment, compared to monotherapy. The complementary action of these agents facilitates a more rapid reduction in overall inflammation, alleviates symptoms, and shortens recovery time. The combination treatment group demonstrated superior laboratory outcomes, including reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as a primary inflammation marker and a decrease in the duration of negative nucleic acid conversion to 7 days. Moreover, the improvement time of chest computed tomography (CT) was significantly shortened in the combined treatment group (p<0.001). The total length of hospitalisation was reduced to 12 days, compared to 14 days in the monotherapy group. These parameters are the principal criteria for evaluating the efficacy of each treatment group. The combination of these drugs is particularly notable, as other treatment methods typically focus on a single aspect of the disease. The study provides valuable insights into the role of combination therapy in clinical practice with regard to COVID-19 management