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Telemedicine Chronic Viral Hepatitis C Treatment during the Lockdown Period in Romania: A Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Irina Paula Doica

    (Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
    All these authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Dan Nicolae Florescu

    (Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
    All these authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Carmen Nicoleta Oancea

    (Pharmacy I Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania)

  • Adina Turcu-Stiolica

    (Pharmacoeconomics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania)

  • Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu

    (Pharmacoeconomics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania)

  • Gindrovel Dumitra

    (Family Medicine Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania)

  • Ion Rogoveanu

    (Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania)

  • Dan Ionut Gheonea

    (Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania)

  • Bogdan Silviu Ungureanu

    (Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Irina Paula Doica & Dan Nicolae Florescu & Carmen Nicoleta Oancea & Adina Turcu-Stiolica & Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu & Gindrovel Dumitra & Ion Rogoveanu & Dan Ionut Gheonea & Bogdan Silviu Ungureanu, 2021. "Telemedicine Chronic Viral Hepatitis C Treatment during the Lockdown Period in Romania: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-9, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3694-:d:528692
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Keren Dopelt & Nofar Avni & Yana Haimov-Sadikov & Iris Golan & Nadav Davidovitch, 2021. "Telemedicine and eHealth Literacy in the Era of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Peripheral Clinic in Israel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Luís Midão & Marta Almada & Joana Carrilho & Rute Sampaio & Elísio Costa, 2022. "Pharmacological Adherence Behavior Changes during COVID-19 Outbreak in a Portugal Patient Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Huan Zhang & Hongyang Wang & Huiyu Yan & Xiaoyu Wang, 2021. "Impact of Internet Use on Mental Health among Elderly Individuals: A Difference-in-Differences Study Based on 2016–2018 CFPS Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Ali Mohsen Al-Hazmi & Haytham A. Sheerah & Ahmed Arafa, 2021. "Perspectives on Telemedicine during the Era of COVID-19; What Can Saudi Arabia Do?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.

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