title: Influence of the type of pegylated interferon on the onset of depressive and neuropsychiatric symptoms in HIV-HCV coinfected patients.
abstract: This is a prospective observational comparative 48-week study to assess the impact of the different types of Peg-IFN on depressive and neuropsychiatric symptoms during treatment in HIV-HCV coinfected patients. Thirty-one patients treated with Peg-IFN alpha-2b 1.5 microg/kg/w plus ribavirine (RBV) (Peg-IFN alpha-2b Group) and 32 patients receiving Peg-IFN alpha-2a 180 microg/w plus RBV (Peg-IFN alpha-2a Group) were included. Depressive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, quality of life and adherence were assessed. Fifteen subjects (23%) discontinued therapy (p = 0.3, between groups). Overall, 37 patients presented mild to moderate depressive symptoms, 9 moderate to severe and 3 severe, without differences between groups. Patients in Peg-IFN alpha-2b reported higher fatigue and dizziness at weeks 12 (p < 0.05) and 24 (p < 0.05), and irritability and memory loss at week 24 (p < 0.05) with respect to Peg-IFN alpha-2a Group. At week 12, role functioning, general health perception, vitality, emotional role, mental health and the summary areas of physical health and mental health were lower in Peg-IFN alpha-2b Group (p < 0.05). The same was observed in physical functioning (p = 0.05) and role functioning, general health perception, emotional role and mental health (p < 0.001) at week 24. Three months after finishing treatment, no patient had depressive or neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of life improved. Antiretroviral adherence was low but adherence to anti-HCV therapy remained high in both groups. According to our data, Peg-IFN alpha-2a and Peg-IFN alpha-2b exert a similar impact on the overall rate of depressive symptoms, although patients treated with Peg-IFN alpha-2a experience less fatigue and fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms and a lower impairment in their physical and mental quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. cfumaz@ns.hugtip.scs.es
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Fumaz
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Moreno
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paredes
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuster
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masmitjà
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pérez-Alvarez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tural
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clotet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a