Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently delaying the process of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) eradication, since most of the chronic diseases are neglected. Thus, there is a need for alternative programs for HCV therapy implementation and disease monitoring. Our aim was to provide a multidisciplinary approach, so that HCV-infected patients from distant locations may benefit from HCV antivirals during the COVID-19 outbreak and within the lockdown period in Romania. Previously diagnosed HCV patients willing to participate in this telemedicine pilot study were included. Patient characteristics and medical adherence were assessed and compared to the year preceding the pandemic. We proposed a multidisciplinary approach by using a telemedicine program for HCV therapy monitoring. Patients also received a satisfaction questionnaire after delivering the sustained virologic response (SVR) result. A total of 41 patients agreed to participate in this study. The medication adherence was 100% for patients included in the telemedicine group, with a statistically significant difference from the medication adherence of the patients treated in 2019. The satisfaction item score was 4.92 out of 5 and our results (r = −0.94, p < 0.0001) suggested that older patients embraced the telemedicine program less, but with the same success in terms of SVR (100%) and medication adherence (100%). Our pilot study offers the first example of a telemedicine program in Romania for HCV therapeutic management. During the lockdown period, telemedicine has served as a reliable tool and novel alternative for conventional monitoring of patients treated with direct antiviral agents and should be further considered even following the pandemic.
Highlights
We focused on implementing a telemedicine approach in HCV therapeutic management during the COVID-19 outbreak within the lockdown period in Romania
Several 223 HCV patients were treated between March–May 2019, and 41 entered the pilot study during the lockdown period in 2020
The medication adherence was 100% for patients included in the telemedicine group, with a statistically significant difference from the medication adherence of the patients treated in 2019
Summary
Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) affects over 71 million people worldwide; according to the. World Health Organization (WHO), less than 5% are aware of their status [1]. The death toll due to viral hepatitis is still high, owing to its evolution to cirrhosis and its complications. Proper screening methods and direct access to the new direct antiviral agents (DAA). Are being developed to cover all the shortcomings of the HCV infection [2]. According to the WHO organization, nine countries are close to reaching the goal of HCV elimination by 2030 [3]. The success of this goal is at risk due to COVID-19, which has shifted medical focus towards limiting the pandemic’s effects.
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