The IECS was in charge of data management of the randomized placebo-controlled study “Evaluation of the efficacy of the administration of convalescent plasma from COVID-19 in reducing the progression of severe disease in older adults with mild symptoms due to SARS-COV2 ”, whose results were presented by the director of the study, Dr. Fernando Polack, at a press conference on Friday, November 12.
The main findings shared at the press conference were:
– Of 160 people, 11% with plasma and 29% with placebo contracted severe respiratory disease.
– Convalescent plasma, with sufficient antibodies and administered within the first 3 days of the onset of mild symptoms, is 61% effective in preventing the progression of mild Covid 19 
The Institute of Clinical and Health Effectiveness had the enormous pleasure and privilege of collaborating with the INFANT Foundation team in the development and implementation of this important public health study. Dr. Eduardo Bergel, IECS researcher, participated in the development of the protocol together with the INFANT team led by Dr. Polack. “It is a study that provides relevant scientific evidence in public health that informs decision-making about the positive effect of the administration of convalescent plasma in the early stage of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the population most vulnerable to this disease. , who are the elderly,” said the Dr. Mabel Berrueta, responsible for the IECS Data Management, Statistical Analysis and Information Systems Unit.
Based on quality standards and good clinical practices, the IECS Unit designed the study procedures (including randomization and product stock management) and trained the personnel related to the collection. management and processing of data, continuously monitoring compliance. Finally, after obtaining high-quality data collected in real time, biostatisticians from the institution were responsible, together with colleagues from INFANT, for the final analysis of the results of the clinical trial that will be published very soon in a high-impact scientific journal.