Background and study aims: A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS COV2) outbreak ‎resulting in corona virus disease (COVID- 19) which is known as a pandemic ‎infectious disease. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a well-known major cause of ‎chronic liver disease and its subsequent major complications. Telemedicine refers to the ‎remote practice of medical care for patients when the provider and patient are not ‎physically present with each other. We aim to assess use of telemedicine in the follow ‎up of chronic HCV patients during treatment by direct antiviral therapy in this era of ‎COVID- 19‎.‎
Patients and Methods: ‎‎‎ this study included cross matched 300 patients consulted for HCV treatment. 150 ‎patients were treated in 2019 and followed by routine classic visits (routine classical ‎group). Another 150 patients were treated in 2020 and followed up via virtual visits by ‎telemedicine (telemedicine group)‎.‎
Results: There is no significant statistical difference between the two groups regarding the ‎sustained virological response (SVR) and the recorded side effects during treatment (P= ‎‎0.275, P= 0.523) respectively‎.
Conclusion: Use of telemedicine in the follow up of chronic HCV patients during treatment is as ‎effective as the classic way and safer especially in the era of pandemic COVID19‎‎.