In the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, a number of emergency observational studies were carried out to evaluate hydrochloroquine (HCQ) as a potential treatment. Table 5.23 reports the results of a French...

In the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, a number of emergency observational studies were carried out to evaluate hydrochloroquine (HCQ) as a potential treatment. Table 5.23 reports the results of a French study of Covid-19 patients who had developed pneumonia and required oxygen support (CNN, 4/15/2020). Some patients received HCQ and others did not.

(a) Do the two groups differ significantly in their probability of requiring transfer to intensive care or death?

(b) Eight of the 84 HCQ patients developed heart problems, requiring discontinuation of the drug. Give a 95% confidence interval for the probability of developing heart problems in this population.

(c) Does this study support the use of HCQ in this type of patient?