Objectives

This study aimed to determine the effect of melatonin on thrombosis, sepsis, and mortality rate in adult patients with severe coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Methods

This single-center, prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted from 1 December 2020 to 1 June 2021 at Al-Shifaa hospital in Mosul, Iraq. There were 158 patients with severe COVID-19 included in the study: 82 in the melatonin group (who received 10 mg melatonin in addition to standard therapeutic care) and 76 in the control group (given standard therapeutic care only). Patients were chosen by a blocked randomization design. The physician then evaluated and recorded the incidence of thrombosis, sepsis, and mortality rate on days 5, 11, and 17 of symptoms.

Results

The intervention group consisted of 82 patients, while the control group consisted of 76 patients. In comparison to the control group, thrombosis and sepsis developed significantly less frequently (P < 0.05) in the melatonin group during the second week of infection, while mortality was significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Adjuvant use of melatonin may help to reduce thrombosis, sepsis, and mortality in COVID-19 patients.