Sadness and mild cognitive impairment as predictors for interferon-alpha-induced depression in patients with hepatitis C. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarkar, Susanne; Sarkar, Rahul; Berg, Thomas; Schaefer, Martin
• Is Part Of: British journal of psychiatry. Volume 206:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.113.141770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1250

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Antiviral therapy with interferon-alpha (IFN-α) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased risk for depression. Aims: To identify clinical predictors for IFN-α-induced depression during antiviral therapy for HCV infection. Method: Depression (defined with the Montgomery–åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)) was evaluated before and during antiviral treatment in 91 people with chronic HCV infection without a history of psychiatric disorders. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Trail Making Test A/B (TMT A/B). (Trial registration at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00136318.) Results: Depression during antiviral therapy was significantly associated with a baseline MADRS score of 3 or higher ( P = 0.006). In total, 89% ( n = 16) of patients who had a baseline score >0 for the single item sadness developed depression. Poor baseline performance in the TMT A ( P = 0.027) and TMT B ( P =0.033) was predictive for severe depression. Conclusions: Pre-treatment screening for subthreshold depressive and cognitive symptoms will help to identify those at risk for IFN-α-associated depression among patients with chronic hepatitis C.