title: A prospective study of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with interferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to systematically describe the neuropsychiatric side effects of treatment with interferon-alpha-2b (INF-alpha) and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C as well as to compare different instruments used to measure these side effects. Fifty-five patients with chronic hepatitis C were prospectively followed for 24 weeks and assessed with seven neuropsychiatric symptom measures and one quality of life scale. Of 42 patients treated with INF-alpha and ribavirin, 11 (26%) were receiving psychiatric treatment at baseline. They scored higher on all rating scales at baseline and became more symptomatic during treatment. Of the 31 patients (74%) not in psychiatric care at baseline, 15 (48%) required treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms, and seven (23%) met criteria for major depression during INF-alpha therapy. The control group of 13 untreated subjects showed little change over the 24-week period. All symptom scales were highly intercorrelated, suggesting that use of one is sufficient for monitoring symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dieperink
authors.forename: Samuel B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thuras
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Willenbring
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin