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BACKGROUND: The effect of favipiravir on the QTc interval during the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is unclear. Thus, the current study objective was to evaluate any change in the QTc interval in patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 receiving favipiravir treatment. METHOD: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were assessed in this single-center retrospective study. 189 patients, whose diagnosis was confirmed using real-time PCR, were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: those using hydroxychloroquine (Group 1, nâ¯=â¯66), hydroxychloroquine plus favipiravir (Group 2, nâ¯=â¯66), and favipiravir only (Group 3, nâ¯=â¯57). The QTc interval was measured before treatment (QTc-B) and 48â¯h after (i.e., the median) starting treatment (QTc-AT). RESULTS: The median age was 53 (39-66 IQR) and 97 (51%) of patients were female. The median QTc(Bazett)-change was 7â¯ms (pâ¯=â¯0.028) and 12â¯ms (pâ¯<â¯0.001) and in Group 1 and 2, respectively. In Group 3, the median QTc(Bazett)-change was observed as -3â¯ms and was not statistically significant (pâ¯=â¯0.247). In multivariable analysis, while there was a significant relationship between QTc-AT(Bazett) and hydroxychloroquine (ß coefficientâ¯=â¯2687, 95%CI 2599-16,976, pâ¯=â¯0,008), there was no significant relationship with favipiravir (ß coefficientâ¯=â¯0,180, 95% CI -6435-7724, pâ¯=â¯0,858). Similarly, there was a significant relationship between the QTc-AT interval calculated using the Fredericia formula and hydroxychloroquine (ß coefficientâ¯=â¯2120, 95% CI 0,514-14,398, pâ¯=â¯0,035), but not with favipiravir (ß coefficientâ¯=â¯0,111, 95% CI -6450- 7221, pâ¯=â¯0,911). CONCLUSION: In the ECG recordings received in the following days after the treatment was started in COVID-19 patients, there was a significant prolongation in the QTc interval with hydroxychloroquine, but there was no significant change with favipiravir.
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