ABSTRACT
Introduction and Objectives: Strategies to simplify the care circuit for patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are vital to achieving its eradication. To achieve this aim, we introduced an electronic system of HCV serology detection to link diagnosis with specialized assistance in order to minimize the loss of patients. Material(s) and Method(s): A retrospective single-center study of HCV patients developed by Microbiology Department from February 15th, 2020, to December 15th, 2021. In the event of a positive HCV antibody, the anti-HCV core was directly measured by the electronic system. If positive, an encrypted e-mail with the patient data was automatically sent to HCV specialized physicians, who, after evaluating the benefits of antiviral therapy in each patient, contacted them by phone for an appointment. In the first face-to-face consultation FibroScan, HCV genotype and viral load measurement were performed, and antiviral therapy was prescribed. Patient diagnosis origin and public health characteristics were recorded. We analyzed the association between antiviral therapy prescription and these variables. Statistical significance was set at p<0.005. Result(s): Of 171 patients identified, with a mean age of 59.6 +/- 15.9, 61.5 % of males and 81.2% of Spanish nationals. HCV origin from out-of-hospital settings predominated (50.9%, 87/171), particularly primary care (28.7%), penitentiary (11.6%) and addiction units (8.2%). In all, 43.3% (74/171) were aware of their diagnosis, but 64.9% (48/74) hadn't previously received antiviral therapy. Genotype 1 predominated. We recorded 19.4% (20/103) of patients F3 fibrosis and 27.2% (26/103) F4. Finally, 58.5% (100/171) attended a physician consultation. They were all treated with pangenotypic interferon-free therapy. A 100% rate of sustained viral response was achieved. The main reasons for not being treated were high comorbidity (43.7%,31/71), not located (23.9%, 17/71), patient refusal to treatment (23.9%,17/71) and death (8.5%,6/71). The sole association found between antiviral therapy and patient variables was that of comorbidities with being untreated (OR=7.14, p<0.001). Conclusion(s): Our alert system is simple and easily reproducible. It allows for minimizing the loss of HCV patients, even considering it was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2023