Improved cognitive function as a consequence of hepatitis C virus treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of treatment-related clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on cognitive function.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted in 19 HCV-monoinfected and 15 HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals undergoing pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin therapy between April 2003 and August 2005. Neuropsychological, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) effects were assessed using computer-based battery, Trail Making Tests, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Short Form-36 health survey.


RESULTS
Pretreatment cognitive function, mood status, and HRQOL were similar between the HCV patient groups. Sustained virological response (SVR) rates were similar between HCV-monoinfected (68%) and HIV/HCV-coinfected (73%) groups. SVR was associated with significant improvements in some measures of cognitive function, independent of HRQOL improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings provide evidence to support cognitive effects of HCV independent of mood status and HRQOL profiles.
Thein
H H
HH
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Maruff
P
P
Krahn
M D
MD
Kaldor
J M
JM
Koorey
D J
DJ
Brew
B J
BJ
Dore
G J
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin