Prophylactic use of Hydroxychloroquine among Physicians working in Pandemic Hospitals

Prophylactic use of Hydroxychloroquine among Physicians working in Pandemic Hospitals | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Prophylactic use of Hydroxychloroquine among Physicians working in Pandemic Hospitals Mehmet Gönenli, İlker Kayı, Nilüfer Alpay Kanıtez, Tuba Baydaş, and 5 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-107937/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Throughout the pandemic, physicians working at the frontlines have embarked on various quests to protect themselves, and many physicians preferred the use of hydroxychloroquine (HQN) as a prophylactic agent. This study aimed to investigate the reasons leading physicians to use HQN and the effects of HQN use on physicians. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study with a target population of physicians working in pandemic hospitals in İstanbul, Turkey. We have recruited the participants from seven different hospitals via an invitation email between May 14 and June 13, 2020. An online questionnaire, including 57 questions in total, was sent to each physician. Results : A total of 148 (26%) physicians used hydroxychloroquine for prevention. Older physicians and ones who have a story of exposure to COVID-19 patients without any protection used more prophylactic HQN. Hydroxychloroquine did not differ statistically in terms of being infected among the exposed physicians (p=0.52). Nineteen (13%) physicians using hydroxychloroquine developed side effects related to the drug. Diarrhea and nausea were the most common. Conclusion: Prophylactic HQN use was more common among the physicians older than 40 years and who had higher exposure rates to a COVID-19 patient without any protection. The physicians working at the frontlines had the highest rate of infection. Hydroxychloroquine was not effective in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 among the exposed physicians. Infectious Diseases Hospital Medicine COVID-19 Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis Physicians Figures Figure 1 Highlights Prevalence: ºAmong all the physicians participating in the study, 148 (26%) physicians used hydroxychloroquine for prevention for a while or continuously. ºOlder physicians and exposed ones used more prophylactic HQN. Effectiveness: ºHydroxychloroquine did not differ statistically in terms of being infected among the exposed physicians (p=0.52). Side effects: ºNineteen (13%) of 148 patients using hydroxychloroquine developed side effects that could be related to the drug. ºDiarrhea and nausea were the most common Introduction Healthcare workers were on the front lines of the global effort to care for patients with COVID-19, while putting themselves at risk for infection. Thousands of physicians already died, from dozens of countries, professions, and specialties [ 1 ]. The lack of access to personal protective commitment (PPE), lack of training and workforce shortages have exposed the vulnerability of healthcare workers they desperately sought for other options to protect themselves [ 2 ]. There have been efforts for the discovery of an effective treatment and prophylaxis of coronavirus disease. At the same time hydroxychloroquine (HQN), an antimalarial drug that has been mainly used in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, has been proposed as an option. While in vitro studies showed the ability of HQN to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity [ 3 , 4 ], consequent clinical trials have not yielded promising results for the effectiveness of HQN in treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19 [ 5 – 7 ]. Yet, there are some countries that included HQN in their national case management and prophylaxis guidelines including Turkey [ 8 , 9 ]. In March 2020, the Ministry of Health declared pandemic hospitals which were responsible for the management of COVID-19 cases. Istanbul, holding one fifth of the population in Turkey and being the center of commerce and international travel soon reported to be the epicenter of the pandemic in Turkey. While physicians working in pandemic hospitals in Istanbul faced the surge of COVID-19 patients, they were also suggested to use HQN as a prophylaxis against COVID-19. Therefore, we aimed to describe the HQN use among physicians for prophylactic purposes, its association with acquisition of COVID-19 and the factors that contribute to HQN use. Method This is a cross-sectional study with a target population of physicians working in pandemic hospitals in İstanbul, Turkey. Pandemic hospitals are the ones assigned to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, which have at least two physicians specialized in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Pulmonology or Internal Medicine, and having a level three adult intensive care bed have been assigned to be a pandemic hospital in Istanbul. We have selected seven pandemic hospitals for recruiting participants. To ensure the inclusion of a socioeconomically diverse group of hospitals, we have chosen three private university hospitals and four public hospitals. The total number of physicians working in these seven pandemic hospitals was 4,722. We have calculated the sample size in OpenEpi [ 10 ] program by taking the anticipated frequency of HQN use as 50% as recommended for unknown frequencies; 5% margin of error with a design effect of 1.7. The sample size at a 95% confidence interval was 607 participants. The inclusion criteria for the participants were having a minimum medical doctor degree and actively working with patients in pandemic hospitals since March 11, 2020. The study was approved by The Koç University Ethics Committee on Human Research and the Turkish Ministry of Health. Recruitment of participants was by an invitation sent via email from hospital administration to the physicians. To do so, we sought permission from each hospital for sending an invitation email to their eligible physician staff. Hospital administrations sent two reminder emails in a weekly period after the initial invitation email. Data collection was limited to one month between May 14, 2020, and June 13, 2020. We collected the data via an online questionnaire, including 57 questions in total prepared according to the scientific literature. Upon providing consent, physicians could proceed to the survey. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics of participants such as age, gender, and medical specialty, ever and current use of hydroxychloroquine since the beginning of the pandemic, dose, timing and duration of hydroxychloroquine use, ever and ongoing use of any other supplements, working conditions during the pandemic, frequency of contact with COVID-19 patients, and if participants used regular medication and had any chronic health condition. Statistical analysis We provided a mean, median, and Standard Deviation for continuous variables and percentages for the categorical variables. We dichotomized the categorical variables and used the Chi-Square test for comparisons in univariate analysis. We conducted two separate multivariable analyses with logistic regression. The significant variables in univariate analysis and the potential confounders were included to the models. One multivariable analysis for the predictors of HQN use was performed, that included independent variables of age, gender, having any comorbidities, being exposed to a COVID-19 patient without any protection (defined as exposure) and working at frontline departments. The second multivariable analysis was performed for the predictors of infection that included the independent variables of age, gender, having any comorbidities, working at frontline departments and prophylactic HQN usage. Statistical significance was set at P < .05 to reject the null hypothesis in a 2-sided equation. Stata software (version 8.0) was used in the statistical analysis. Results At the end of the data collection period we have received 718 responses. After eliminating the participants who were out of our target population from seven pandemic hospitals there were 564 physicians remaining for analysis comprising to 93% of the initial sample size. The mean age of the physicians who participated in the study was 36 (sd:8.9), and 295 (52%) of the participants were women (Table 1 ). Table 1 Basic Characteristics of Physicians Total n = 564 (%) Received prophylaxis n = 148 (%) P Infected n = 28 (%) p Age > 40 170 (30) 63 (42.6) < 0.001 6 (21.4) 0.27 Gender (Male) 269 (48) 65 (44) 0.284 16 (57.1) 0.305 Frontline departments 310 (55) 77 (52) 0.403 21 (75) 0.029 Current smoker 76 (13.5) 25 (17) 0.156 4 (14.2) 0.897 Comorbidities Hypertension 34 (6) 12 (8.1) 0.216 2 (7.1) 0.799 DM 12 (2) 4 (2.7) 0.572 1 (3.6) 0.587 Hyperlipidemia 19 (3.3) 7 (4.7) 0.285 0 CVS 9 (1.6) 1 (0.7) 0.298 1 (3.6) 0.392 Arrhythmia 6 (1) 2 (1.3) 0.691 1 (3.6) 0.185 Any comorbidity 124 (22) 41 (27.7) 0.051 7 (25) 0.693 Patient care in a week 0.753 0.307 0 hrs 56 (10) 19 (12.8) 0 (0) 48 hrs 149 (26.5) 37 (25) 10 (35.7) Patient care > 12 hours per week 352 (62.4) 87 (58.8) 0.289 23 (82.1) 0.027 History of exposure 184 (32.6) 56 (37.8) 0.115 16 (57) 0.005 Used HQN prophylaxis 148 (26.3) N/A N/A 8 (28.5) 0.774 pre-exposure HQN Use 118 N/A N/A 6 (21.4) 0.946 post-exposure HQN Use 30 N/A N/A 2 (7.1) 0.659 During this study, 28 out of 564 physicians (5%) were infected. Pneumonia developed in 15 of 28 (54%) infected physicians. In the study group, 148 (26%) physicians used hydroxychloroquine for prevention for a while or continuously. Among the physicians who used HQN, 8 of 148 (5.4%) infected, compared to 20 of the 416 (4.8%) physicians who did not use HQN (p = 0.773, Fig. 1). There were 310 (55%) physicians that worked more than 12 hours a week with COVID-19 patients. These frontline physicians were from 18 different departments including Infectious diseases, Emergency, Pulmonology, Internal Medicine, Intensive Care, ENT and Pediatrics departments. Out of these 310 physicians 21 (6.7%) were infected while only seven physicians (2.7%) from other departments were infected (p = 0.029). Also, physicians providing care for COVID-19 patients more than 12 hours a week were infected more than physicians working for fewer hours (23/352 p = 0.027, Table 1 ). In the study, 184 physicians stated that they had contacted at least one COVID-19 patient without having appropriate personal protective equipment. Among the physicians with suspected contact, 16 (8.7%) were infected (p = 0.005). Fifty six (30.4%) physicians out of 184 used hydroxychloroquine for prophylaxis. While 26 physicians were using HQN before any exposure with a COVID-19 patient, 30 began HQN after exposure. It was also found that hydroxychloroquine did not differ statistically in terms of being infected among the exposed physicians (p = 0.52). Diarrhea (7.4%) was the most common side effect among physicians using HQN, and only one patient who has diarrhea was infected. Arrhythmias (3.4%), nausea (3.4%), abdominal pain (2.7%), weakness (3%), rash (1.3%), and dizziness (1.3%) were other side effects, respectively. While 68% of the physicians never used a loading dose, those who took the loading dose mostly received 400 mg for a day (17%). Eleven different maintenance dosages were documented in the study and 200 mg once a week (17.6%) was the most preferred dose for maintenance among physicians (Table 2 ). Table 2 HQN Dosages used for prophylaxis among physicians HQN use N = 148 (%) Loading dose No loading dose 101 (68%) 400 mg one day 25 (17%) 800 mg one day 8 (5.4%) 200 mg 3 days 8 (5.4%) 400 mg 3 days 6 (4%) Maintenance 200 mg for once 20 (13.5%) 400 mg for once 12 (8.1%) 200 mg every 3 weeks 20 (13.5%) 400 mg every 3 weeks 6 (4%) 200 mg every 2 weeks 5 (3.4%) 400 mg every 2 weeks 5 (3.4%) 200 mg once a week 26 (17.6) 400 mg once a week 13 (8.8%) 200 mg twice a week 20 (13.5%) 200 mg once a day 3(2%) 200 mg twice a day 18 (12.2) Of the 148 physicians using hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis, 44 were still on prophylaxis when the study was terminated. Five of the 144 (3.4%) physicians who stopped the drug stated that after stopping prophylaxis, they developed a complaint or finding related to COVID. In the multivariable analysis conducted to determine who preferred hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis, we found that physicians over 40 years of age (p < 0.001) and who had unprotected exposure to a COVID-19 patient (p = 0.032) preferred prophylaxis ( Table 3 ). Table 3 Univariate and multivariate analysis for the predictors of hydroxyquinoline use Univariable Multivariable OR 95% CI p OR 95% CI p Age > 40 2.14 1.44–3.17 < 0.001 2.20 1.44–3.36 < 0.001 Any comorbidity 1.53 0.99–2.37 0.052 1.23 0.78–1.95 0.366 High risk exposure 1.36 0.92–2.02 0.116 1.55 1.03–2.32 0.032 Working at frontline 0.85 0.58–1.24 0.403 0.87 0.59–1.28 0.499 Female gender 1.22 0.84–1.79 0.285 1.42 0.96–2.10 0.078 We also examined the predictors of COVID-19 infection, and in both univariate and multivariable analysis, working at the front line was the single significant variable for developing an infection while using HQN was not found to be protective (Table 4 ). Table 4 Univariate and multivariate analysis for the predictors of COVID-19 infection Univariable Multivariable OR CI p OR CI p Working at frontline 2.56 1.07–6.13 0.034 2.62 1.08–6.31 0.031 Age > 40 0.61 0.24–1.55 0.307 0.52 0.19–1.43 0.212 Female gender 0.67 0.31–1.44 0.307 0.58 0.26–1.27 0.176 Any comorbidity 1.19 0.49–2.87 0.693 1.44 0.56–3.68 0.446 Hydroxychloroquine 1.13 0.48–2.62 0.774 1.2 0.54–3.03 0.576 Discussion Prophylaxis with hydroxychloroquine is still suggested in some countries although its effectiveness has not been proven by clinical studies [ 8 ]. The physicians working in pandemic hospitals tried to treat patients and protect themselves at the same time. Since the hydroxychloroquine in prophylaxis was highly controversial, physicians had to make their own decisions about whether to use this drug for protection. Of all the physicians participating in the study, 148 (26%) physicians used HQN for a while or continuously. 118 of these doctors preferred to begin prophylaxis without any suspicious contact, while 30 doctors started HQN after an exposure (Fig. 1). Older age and having chronic diseases are considered as well known risk factors for COVID-19 [ 11 ]. In our study, older age and having any comorbidities were associated with increased HQN use (Table 3 ). However in multivariate analysis the association with being older than 40 was significant, whereas having any comorbidities was not. In multivariable analysis, working at the frontline was found to be the single significant variable for development of infection (Table 4 ). Using HQN was not found to be protective. There was no statistical significance between the physicians working at the frontline and the others in terms of HQN use (25% vs 28>%, p = 0.403). Moreover, among the physicians working in the frontline departments, there was not significant association between using HQN and infection (7.7% vs 6.4%, p = 0.682). It was found that 28 (5%) of 564 physicians who participated in the study had COVID infection. Pneumonia developed in 15 (54%) of 28 infected doctors. In June, when this study ended, Boulware et al. reported that after exposure to Covid-19, HQN usage did not prevent COVID infection [ 5 ]. In our study, no statistically significant relationship was found between the use of HQN and the development of COVID infection (p = 0.774). A total of 19 (12.8%) physicians out of 148 reported a side effect during their HQN prophylaxis. Loose stool (7.4%) and nausea (3.4%) were the most commonly reported side effects. Only one physician out of 11 who reported diarrhea had COVID infection. A recent randomized controlled study on HQN prophylaxis among healthcare workers, reported no significant difference in terms of infection rates, in parallel with our results [ 12 ]. In the same study, it was reported that 20% of 65 patients developed diarrhea during HQN prophylaxis. Cases of serious adverse cardiac events related to hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis among physicians were reported [ 13 ]. Inclusion of 564 physicians out of 4722 (12%) was one of the strongest aspects of our research. However, this was a self-administered online survey. Access to the site was tightly controlled and restricted with only physicians from selected hospitals to ensure that study represents the targeted population. In addition, 74% of the physicians participating in the study shared their email addresses to respond to any conflict related to the questionnaire to increase the reliability of the study. In conclusion, prophylactic HQN use was common among physicians in pandemic hospitals. Prophylactic HQN use was more common among the physicians older than 40 years and the ones who had higher risk of exposure. The physicians working at the frontline had the highest rate of infection. Hydroxychloroquine was not effective in prophylaxis of COVID-19 among the exposed physicians. Diarrhea and nausea were the most common side effects of HQN. Declarations Funding: No funding was received for conducting this study. Competing Interests: All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. Ethical approval: The study was carried out in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki and with the term of local legislation and approved by The Koç University Ethics Committee on Human Research ( IRB No: 2020.183.IRB1.051 ) and the Turkish Ministry of Health (Mehmet Gökhan Gönenli-2020-05-06T16_18_41). Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent for publication: The authors also affirm that human research participants provided informed consent for publication of their data. Availability of data and materials: We also declare that the datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Authors Contributions: Conceptualization: Mehmet Gökhan Gönenli, Nilüfer Alpay Kanıtez, Timur Selçuk Akpınar Methodology: İlker Kayı, Mehmet Gökhan Gönenli, Nilüfer Alpay Kanıtez Data Collection: Tuba Baydaş, Murat Köse, Emine Ayça Nalbantoğlu, Miraç Vural Keskinler, Mehmet Gökhan Gönenli Formal Analysis: Önder Ergönül, İlker Kayı, Mehmet Gökhan Gönenli Writing - original draft preparation: Mehmet Gökhan Gönenli, İlker Kayı, Önder Ergönül Supervision: Önder Ergönül, Timur Selçuk Akpınar Acknowledgements: The authors thank all the doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers working at the Istanbul Pandemic Hospitals and caring for COVID-19 patients. References Medscape, In Memoriam: healthcare workers who have died of COVID-19. 2020. Jackson, D., et al., Vulnerability of nurse and physicians with COVID-19: Monitoring and surveillance needed . J Clin Nurs, 2020. Yao, X., et al., In Vitro Antiviral Activity and Projection of Optimized Dosing Design of Hydroxychloroquine for the Treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) . Clin Infect Dis, 2020. 71 (15): p. 732–739. Liu, J., et al., Hydroxychloroquine, a less toxic derivative of chloroquine, is effective in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro . Cell discovery, 2020. 6 (1): p. 1–4. Boulware, D.R., et al., A Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine as Postexposure Prophylaxis for Covid-19 . N Engl J Med, 2020. 383 (6): p. 517–525. Cavalcanti, A.B., et al., Hydroxychloroquine with or without Azithromycin in Mild-to-Moderate Covid-19 . N Engl J Med, 2020. Skipper, C.P., et al., Hydroxychloroquine in Nonhospitalized Adults With Early COVID-19: A Randomized Trial. Ann Intern Med, 2020. Sattui, S.E., et al., Swinging the pendulum: lessons learned from public discourse concerning hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19 . Expert Rev Clin Immunol, 2020. 16 (7): p. 659–666. Nadaroglu, H., Antiviral drugs and plasma therapy used for Covid-19 treatment: a nationwide Turkish algorithm . Drug Metabolism Reviews, 2020: p. 1–9. MM, D.A.S.K.S., OpenEpi: open source epidemiologic statistics for public health . 2013, Version. Ergonul, O., et al., National case fatality rates of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2020. Abella, B.S., et al., Efficacy and Safety of Hydroxychloroquine vs Placebo for Pre-exposure SARS-CoV-2 Prophylaxis Among Health Care Workers: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med, 2020. Zengin, R., et al., Adverse Cardiac Events Related to Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis and Treatment of COVID-19 . 2020, IDCM. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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(p=0.52).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSide effects:\u003c/li\u003e\n\u0026ordm;Nineteen (13%) of 148 patients using hydroxychloroquine developed side effects that could be related to the drug.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ordm;Diarrhea and nausea were the most common\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e"},{"header":"Introduction","content":" \u003cp\u003eHealthcare workers were on the front lines of the global effort to care for patients with COVID-19, while putting themselves at risk for infection. Thousands of physicians already died, from dozens of countries, professions, and specialties [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. The lack of access to personal protective commitment (PPE), lack of training and workforce shortages have exposed the vulnerability of healthcare workers they desperately sought for other options to protect themselves [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere have been efforts for the discovery of an effective treatment and prophylaxis of coronavirus disease. At the same time hydroxychloroquine (HQN), an antimalarial drug that has been mainly used in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, has been proposed as an option. While in vitro studies showed the ability of HQN to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e], consequent clinical trials have not yielded promising results for the effectiveness of HQN in treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19 [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR6\" citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Yet, there are some countries that included HQN in their national case management and prophylaxis guidelines including Turkey [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn March 2020, the Ministry of Health declared pandemic hospitals which were responsible for the management of COVID-19 cases. Istanbul, holding one fifth of the population in Turkey and being the center of commerce and international travel soon reported to be the epicenter of the pandemic in Turkey. While physicians working in pandemic hospitals in Istanbul faced the surge of COVID-19 patients, they were also suggested to use HQN as a prophylaxis against COVID-19. Therefore, we aimed to describe the HQN use among physicians for prophylactic purposes, its association with acquisition of COVID-19 and the factors that contribute to HQN use.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Method","content":" \u003cp\u003eThis is a cross-sectional study with a target population of physicians working in pandemic hospitals in İstanbul, Turkey. Pandemic hospitals are the ones assigned to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, which have at least two physicians specialized in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Pulmonology or Internal Medicine, and having a level three adult intensive care bed have been assigned to be a pandemic hospital in Istanbul.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe have selected seven pandemic hospitals for recruiting participants. To ensure the inclusion of a socioeconomically diverse group of hospitals, we have chosen three private university hospitals and four public hospitals. The total number of physicians working in these seven pandemic hospitals was 4,722. We have calculated the sample size in OpenEpi [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e] program by taking the anticipated frequency of HQN use as 50% as recommended for unknown frequencies; 5% margin of error with a design effect of 1.7. The sample size at a 95% confidence interval was 607 participants.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe inclusion criteria for the participants were having a minimum medical doctor degree and actively working with patients in pandemic hospitals since March 11, 2020. The study was approved by The Ko\u0026ccedil; University Ethics Committee on Human Research and the Turkish Ministry of Health.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecruitment of participants was by an invitation sent via email from hospital administration to the physicians. To do so, we sought permission from each hospital for sending an invitation email to their eligible physician staff. Hospital administrations sent two reminder emails in a weekly period after the initial invitation email. Data collection was limited to one month between May 14, 2020, and June 13, 2020. We collected the data via an online questionnaire, including 57 questions in total prepared according to the scientific literature. Upon providing consent, physicians could proceed to the survey.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics of participants such as age, gender, and medical specialty, ever and current use of hydroxychloroquine since the beginning of the pandemic, dose, timing and duration of hydroxychloroquine use, ever and ongoing use of any other supplements, working conditions during the pandemic, frequency of contact with COVID-19 patients, and if participants used regular medication and had any chronic health condition.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe provided a mean, median, and Standard Deviation for continuous variables and percentages for the categorical variables. We dichotomized the categorical variables and used the Chi-Square test for comparisons in univariate analysis. We conducted two separate multivariable analyses with logistic regression. The significant variables in univariate analysis and the potential confounders were included to the models. One multivariable analysis for the predictors of HQN use was performed, that included independent variables of age, gender, having any comorbidities, being exposed to a COVID-19 patient without any protection (defined as exposure) and working at frontline departments. The second multivariable analysis was performed for the predictors of infection that included the independent variables of age, gender, having any comorbidities, working at frontline departments and prophylactic HQN usage. Statistical significance was set at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05 to reject the null hypothesis in a 2-sided equation. Stata software (version 8.0) was used in the statistical analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"Results","content":" \u003cp\u003eAt the end of the data collection period we have received 718 responses. After eliminating the participants who were out of our target population from seven pandemic hospitals there were 564 physicians remaining for analysis comprising to 93% of the initial sample size. The mean age of the physicians who participated in the study was 36 (sd:8.9), and 295 (52%) of the participants were women (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBasic Characteristics of Physicians\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;564 (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eReceived prophylaxis n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;148 (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfected\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;28 (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;40\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e170 (30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63 (42.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 (21.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender (Male)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e269 (48)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65 (44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.284\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (57.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.305\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrontline departments\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e310 (55)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77 (52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.403\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21 (75)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.029\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCurrent smoker\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76 (13.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 (17)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.156\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 (14.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.897\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eComorbidities\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHypertension\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34 (6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 (8.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.216\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (7.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.799\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDM\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 (2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 (2.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.572\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (3.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.587\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHyperlipidemia\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (3.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 (4.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.285\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCVS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (1.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (0.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.298\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (3.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.392\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eArrhythmia\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 (1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (1.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.691\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (3.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAny comorbidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e124 (22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41 (27.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.051\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 (25)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.693\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePatient care in a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.753\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.307\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0 hrs\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56 (10)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (12.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;8 hours\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e117 (20.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31 (20.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 (14.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8\u0026ndash;12 hours\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36 (6.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 (7.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (3.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e12\u0026ndash;24 hrs\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66 (11.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15 (10.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (17.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e24\u0026ndash;48 hrs\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e137 (24.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35 (23.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (28.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;48 hrs\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e149 (26.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37 (25)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (35.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePatient care\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;12 hours per week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e352 (62.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87 (58.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.289\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 (82.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.027\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory of exposure\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e184 (32.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56 (37.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (57)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.005\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUsed HQN prophylaxis\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e148 (26.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN/A\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN/A\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (28.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.774\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldItalic\" class=\"BoldItalic\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003epre-exposure HQN Use\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e118\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN/A\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN/A\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e6 (21.4)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.946\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldItalic\" class=\"BoldItalic\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003epost-exposure HQN Use\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e30\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN/A\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN/A\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2 (7.1)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.659\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDuring this study, 28 out of 564 physicians (5%) were infected. Pneumonia developed in 15 of 28 (54%) infected physicians.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the study group, 148 (26%) physicians used hydroxychloroquine for prevention for a while or continuously. Among the physicians who used HQN, 8 of 148 (5.4%) infected, compared to 20 of the 416 (4.8%) physicians who did not use HQN (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.773, Fig.\u0026nbsp;1).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere were 310 (55%) physicians that worked more than 12 hours a week with COVID-19 patients. These frontline physicians were from 18 different departments including Infectious diseases, Emergency, Pulmonology, Internal Medicine, Intensive Care, ENT and Pediatrics departments. Out of these 310 physicians 21 (6.7%) were infected while only seven physicians (2.7%) from other departments were infected (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.029). Also, physicians providing care for COVID-19 patients more than 12 hours a week were infected more than physicians working for fewer hours (23/352 p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.027, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the study, 184 physicians stated that they had contacted at least one COVID-19 patient without having appropriate personal protective equipment. Among the physicians with suspected contact, 16 (8.7%) were infected (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.005).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFifty six (30.4%) physicians out of 184 used hydroxychloroquine for prophylaxis. While 26 physicians were using HQN before any exposure with a COVID-19 patient, 30 began HQN after exposure. It was also found that hydroxychloroquine did not differ statistically in terms of being infected among the exposed physicians (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.52).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiarrhea (7.4%) was the most common side effect among physicians using HQN, and only one patient who has diarrhea was infected. Arrhythmias (3.4%), nausea (3.4%), abdominal pain (2.7%), weakness (3%), rash (1.3%), and dizziness (1.3%) were other side effects, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile 68% of the physicians never used a loading dose, those who took the loading dose mostly received 400\u0026nbsp;mg for a day (17%). Eleven different maintenance dosages were documented in the study and 200\u0026nbsp;mg once a week (17.6%) was the most preferred dose for maintenance among physicians (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHQN Dosages used for prophylaxis among physicians\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHQN use\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eN\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;148 (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLoading dose\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo loading dose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e101 (68%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u0026nbsp;mg one day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 (17%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e800\u0026nbsp;mg one day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (5.4%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg 3 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (5.4%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u0026nbsp;mg 3 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 (4%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaintenance\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg for once\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (13.5%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u0026nbsp;mg for once\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 (8.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg every 3 weeks\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (13.5%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u0026nbsp;mg every 3 weeks\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 (4%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg every 2 weeks\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (3.4%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u0026nbsp;mg every 2 weeks\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (3.4%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26 (17.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u0026nbsp;mg once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (8.8%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg twice a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (13.5%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg once a day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u0026nbsp;mg twice a day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (12.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOf the 148 physicians using hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis, 44 were still on prophylaxis when the study was terminated. Five of the 144 (3.4%) physicians who stopped the drug stated that after stopping prophylaxis, they developed a complaint or finding related to COVID.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the multivariable analysis conducted to determine who preferred hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis, we found that physicians over 40\u0026nbsp;years of age (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) and who had unprotected exposure to a COVID-19 patient (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.032) preferred prophylaxis ( Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnivariate and multivariate analysis for the predictors of hydroxyquinoline use\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnivariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMultivariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% CI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% CI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44\u0026ndash;3.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44\u0026ndash;3.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAny comorbidity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.99\u0026ndash;2.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.052\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.78\u0026ndash;1.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.366\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh risk exposure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.92\u0026ndash;2.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.03\u0026ndash;2.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorking at frontline\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.58\u0026ndash;1.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.403\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.59\u0026ndash;1.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.499\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale gender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.84\u0026ndash;1.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.285\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96\u0026ndash;2.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.078\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe also examined the predictors of COVID-19 infection, and in both univariate and multivariable analysis, working at the front line was the single significant variable for developing an infection while using HQN was not found to be protective (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnivariate and multivariate analysis for the predictors of COVID-19 infection\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnivariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMultivariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorking at frontline\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.07\u0026ndash;6.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.08\u0026ndash;6.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.031\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.24\u0026ndash;1.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.307\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19\u0026ndash;1.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.212\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale gender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31\u0026ndash;1.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.307\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.26\u0026ndash;1.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.176\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAny comorbidity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.49\u0026ndash;2.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.693\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.56\u0026ndash;3.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.446\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHydroxychloroquine\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.48\u0026ndash;2.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.774\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.54\u0026ndash;3.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.576\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Discussion","content":" \u003cp\u003eProphylaxis with hydroxychloroquine is still suggested in some countries although its effectiveness has not been proven by clinical studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. The physicians working in pandemic hospitals tried to treat patients and protect themselves at the same time. Since the hydroxychloroquine in prophylaxis was highly controversial, physicians had to make their own decisions about whether to use this drug for protection.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOf all the physicians participating in the study, 148 (26%) physicians used HQN for a while or continuously. 118 of these doctors preferred to begin prophylaxis without any suspicious contact, while 30 doctors started HQN after an exposure (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOlder age and having chronic diseases are considered as well known risk factors for COVID-19 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. In our study, older age and having any comorbidities were associated with increased HQN use (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). However in multivariate analysis the association with being older than 40 was significant, whereas having any comorbidities was not.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn multivariable analysis, working at the frontline was found to be the single significant variable for development of infection (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Using HQN was not found to be protective. There was no statistical significance between the physicians working at the frontline and the others in terms of HQN use (25% vs 28\u0026gt;%, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.403). Moreover, among the physicians working in the frontline departments, there was not significant association between using HQN and infection (7.7% vs 6.4%, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.682).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt was found that 28 (5%) of 564 physicians who participated in the study had COVID infection. Pneumonia developed in 15 (54%) of 28 infected doctors. In June, when this study ended, Boulware et al. reported that after exposure to Covid-19, HQN usage did not prevent COVID infection [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. In our study, no statistically significant relationship was found between the use of HQN and the development of COVID infection (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.774).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 19 (12.8%) physicians out of 148 reported a side effect during their HQN prophylaxis. Loose stool (7.4%) and nausea (3.4%) were the most commonly reported side effects. Only one physician out of 11 who reported diarrhea had COVID infection. A recent randomized controlled study on HQN prophylaxis among healthcare workers, reported no significant difference in terms of infection rates, in parallel with our results [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. In the same study, it was reported that 20% of 65 patients developed diarrhea during HQN prophylaxis. Cases of serious adverse cardiac events related to hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis among physicians were reported [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInclusion of 564 physicians out of 4722 (12%) was one of the strongest aspects of our research. However, this was a self-administered online survey. Access to the site was tightly controlled and restricted with only physicians from selected hospitals to ensure that study represents the targeted population. In addition, 74% of the physicians participating in the study shared their email addresses to respond to any conflict related to the questionnaire to increase the reliability of the study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, prophylactic HQN use was common among physicians in pandemic hospitals. Prophylactic HQN use was more common among the physicians older than 40\u0026nbsp;years and the ones who had higher risk of exposure. The physicians working at the frontline had the highest rate of infection. Hydroxychloroquine was not effective in prophylaxis of COVID-19 among the exposed physicians. Diarrhea and nausea were the most common side effects of HQN.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo funding was received for conducting this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests: \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;Ethical approval:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was carried out in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki and with the term of local legislation and\u0026nbsp;approved by The Ko\u0026ccedil; University Ethics Committee on Human Research ( IRB No: 2020.183.IRB1.051 ) and the Turkish Ministry of Health\u0026nbsp;(Mehmet G\u0026ouml;khan G\u0026ouml;nenli-2020-05-06T16_18_41).\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate: \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInformed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors also affirm that human research participants provided informed consent for publication of their data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"text-align: inherit;\"\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also declare that the datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthors Contributions:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConceptualization:\u0026nbsp;Mehmet G\u0026ouml;khan G\u0026ouml;nenli, Nil\u0026uuml;fer Alpay Kanıtez, Timur Sel\u0026ccedil;uk Akpınar\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethodology:\u0026nbsp;İlker Kayı, Mehmet G\u0026ouml;khan G\u0026ouml;nenli, Nil\u0026uuml;fer Alpay Kanıtez\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData Collection:\u0026nbsp;Tuba Baydaş, Murat K\u0026ouml;se, Emine Ay\u0026ccedil;a Nalbantoğlu, Mira\u0026ccedil; Vural Keskinler, Mehmet G\u0026ouml;khan G\u0026ouml;nenli\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormal Analysis:\u0026nbsp;\u0026Ouml;nder Erg\u0026ouml;n\u0026uuml;l, İlker Kayı, Mehmet G\u0026ouml;khan G\u0026ouml;nenli\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWriting - original draft preparation:\u0026nbsp;Mehmet G\u0026ouml;khan G\u0026ouml;nenli, İlker Kayı, \u0026Ouml;nder Erg\u0026ouml;n\u0026uuml;l\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupervision: \u0026Ouml;nder Erg\u0026ouml;n\u0026uuml;l, Timur Sel\u0026ccedil;uk Akpınar\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors thank all the doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers working at the Istanbul Pandemic Hospitals and caring for COVID-19 patients.\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedscape, \u003cem\u003eIn Memoriam: healthcare workers who have died of COVID-19.\u003c/em\u003e 2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJackson, D., et al., \u003cem\u003eVulnerability of nurse and physicians with COVID-19: Monitoring and surveillance needed\u003c/em\u003e. J Clin Nurs, 2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYao, X., et al., \u003cem\u003eIn Vitro Antiviral Activity and Projection of Optimized Dosing Design of Hydroxychloroquine for the Treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)\u003c/em\u003e. Clin Infect Dis, 2020. \u003cb\u003e71\u003c/b\u003e(15): p.\u0026nbsp;732\u0026ndash;739.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLiu, J., et al., \u003cem\u003eHydroxychloroquine, a less toxic derivative of chloroquine, is effective in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro\u003c/em\u003e. Cell discovery, 2020. \u003cb\u003e6\u003c/b\u003e(1): p.\u0026nbsp;1\u0026ndash;4.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoulware, D.R., et al., \u003cem\u003eA Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine as Postexposure Prophylaxis for Covid-19\u003c/em\u003e. N Engl J Med, 2020. \u003cb\u003e383\u003c/b\u003e(6): p.\u0026nbsp;517\u0026ndash;525.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCavalcanti, A.B., et al., \u003cem\u003eHydroxychloroquine with or without Azithromycin in Mild-to-Moderate Covid-19\u003c/em\u003e. N Engl J Med, 2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSkipper, C.P., et al., \u003cem\u003eHydroxychloroquine in Nonhospitalized Adults With Early COVID-19: A Randomized Trial.\u003c/em\u003e Ann Intern Med, 2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSattui, S.E., et al., \u003cem\u003eSwinging the pendulum: lessons learned from public discourse concerning hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19\u003c/em\u003e. Expert Rev Clin Immunol, 2020. \u003cb\u003e16\u003c/b\u003e(7): p.\u0026nbsp;659\u0026ndash;666.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNadaroglu, H., \u003cem\u003eAntiviral drugs and plasma therapy used for Covid-19 treatment: a nationwide Turkish algorithm\u003c/em\u003e. Drug Metabolism Reviews, 2020: p.\u0026nbsp;1\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMM, D.A.S.K.S., \u003cem\u003eOpenEpi: open source epidemiologic statistics for public health\u003c/em\u003e. 2013, Version.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErgonul, O., et al., \u003cem\u003eNational case fatality rates of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u003c/em\u003e Clin Microbiol Infect, 2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbella, B.S., et al., \u003cem\u003eEfficacy and Safety of Hydroxychloroquine vs Placebo for Pre-exposure SARS-CoV-2 Prophylaxis Among Health Care Workers: A Randomized Clinical Trial.\u003c/em\u003e JAMA Intern Med, 2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZengin, R., et al., \u003cem\u003eAdverse Cardiac Events Related to Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis and Treatment of COVID-19\u003c/em\u003e. 2020, IDCM.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"COVID-19 , Hydroxychloroquine, Prophylaxis, Physicians","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-107937/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-107937/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground: \u003c/strong\u003eThroughout the pandemic, physicians working at the frontlines have embarked on various quests to protect themselves, and many physicians preferred the use of hydroxychloroquine (HQN) as a prophylactic agent. This study aimed to investigate the reasons leading physicians to use HQN and the effects of HQN use on physicians.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods: \u003c/strong\u003eThis study is a cross-sectional study with a target population of physicians working in pandemic hospitals in İstanbul, Turkey. We have recruited the participants from seven different hospitals via an invitation email between May 14 and June 13, 2020. An online questionnaire, including 57 questions in total, was sent to each physician.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults\u003c/strong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;A total of 148 (26%) physicians used hydroxychloroquine for prevention. Older physicians and ones who have a story of exposure to COVID-19 patients without any protection used more prophylactic HQN. Hydroxychloroquine did not differ statistically in terms of being infected among the exposed physicians (p=0.52). Nineteen (13%) physicians using hydroxychloroquine developed side effects related to the drug. Diarrhea and nausea were the most common.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion: \u003c/strong\u003eProphylactic HQN use was more common among the physicians older than 40 years and who had higher exposure rates to a COVID-19 patient without any protection. The physicians working at the frontlines had the highest rate of infection. Hydroxychloroquine was not effective in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 among the exposed physicians.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Prophylactic use of Hydroxychloroquine among Physicians working in Pandemic Hospitals","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2020-12-16 18:55:18","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-107937/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"29a1ef10-2e6a-43f3-8460-26524da48fe1","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 16th, 2020","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":1507166,"name":"Infectious Diseases"},{"id":1507167,"name":"Hospital Medicine"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2021-01-07T05:59:18+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2020-12-16 18:55:18","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-107937","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-107937","identity":"rs-107937","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"cBFmMYwuxLRRLfASyISRj","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}