Evaluation of the Effect of Favipiravir on QT Intervals in COVID-19 Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of favipiravir administered to diabetic and non-diabetic COVID-19 patients on the QT/QTc interval.

Study design: Analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Health, State Hospital, Corlu, Tekirdag, Turkiye, from March to September 2021.

Methodology: Electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis was performed on all participants (n=180) divided into four groups. Group 1 included only healthy volunteers. Group 2 included only cases diagnosed with T2DM. Group 3 included only severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2) cases. Group 4 included cases diagnosed with both SARS and T2DM. Favipiravir was administered only to the cases in Group 3 and Group 4. In the cases that were administered favipiravir, the QT/QTc interval was calculated and recorded at different time intervals on the first and fifth days of the therapy. The difference between groups was determined by Tukeye's test after ANOVA. Pearson's correlation test was used to determine whether there was a linear relationship between two numericals. The alpha significance value was determined to be <0.05 in all statistical analyses.

Results: When all groups were compared, it was seen that both QT and QTc values ​​increased in Groups 3 and 4, which were administered favipiravir (p <0.05). Favipiravir may cause an increased risk of ventricular and atrial arrhythmias.

Conclusion: Favipiravir may cause QT interval prolongation, particularly in SARS-Cov-2 patients diagnosed with T2DM.

Key words: COVID-19, Drug-induced long QT syndrome, Intra-infarct haemorrhage; Favipiravir, Type 2 diabetes mellitus.