title: Interferon-induced depression in hepatitis C: an update.
abstract: Hepatitis C is a global epidemic, and its costs in both lives and health care expenditures continue to rise. The only approved treatment for this disease, interferon-alpha (IFN), causes treatment-emergent depression in more than one quarter of all patients who take it. Newer preparations of IFN have been developed to increase its antiviral efficacy, but the incidence of treatment-emergent depression has not decreased. The data on the epidemiology and risk factors for interferon-induced depression are reviewed in an effort to delineate its standing as a unique psychiatric disorder. In addition, evidence-based treatment approaches are outlined, including the potential efficacy of preinterferon prophylactic treatment with antidepressants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of South Florida, MDC-14, Tampa, FL 33613, USA. bkeefe@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Keefe
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D011292:Premedication; D012017:Referral and Consultation
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007372:Interferons