Impaired anger control as an underappreciated side effect of treatments for chronic HCV infection in HIV-HCV coinfected patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the specific impact of treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on anger expression and control in adult patients coinfected with HIV and HCV receiving antiretroviral therapy.


METHODS
In 2005, a cross-sectional survey, collecting both clinical and sociobehavioral data, was conducted in 2 French clinical centers among adult patients coinfected with HIV and HCV.


METHODS
Participants were asked to answer anonymously a self-administered questionnaire aimed at obtaining sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics including self-reported treatments' side effects, quality of life (WHOQOL-HIV BREF), and irritability and anger (STAXI-2). Clinical characteristics were obtained from medical records.


RESULTS
Among the 139 patients who were receiving antiretroviral therapy at the time of survey and who had complete self-reported data, 24 were being treated for their HCV infection, using either pegylated interferon and ribavirin or pegylated interferon alone. Control of anger was significantly lower among treated patients than among untreated ones (STAXI-2 anger control-out dimension median scores of 18.5 vs. 23 respectively, P=0.02). Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics did not differ significantly between these 2 groups. Control of angry feelings was significantly correlated with psychologic and social relationship dimensions of quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of HCV-HIV coinfected patients may require closer monitoring for anger control issues and adjustment of treatment as appropriate.
Préau
Marie
M
Health and Medical Research National Institute (INSERM), Research Unit 379, Marseille, France. preau@marseille.inserm.fr
Marcellin
Fabienne
F
Spire
Bruno
B
Ravaux
Isabelle
I
Dellamonica
Pierre
P
Blanc
Dominique
D
Carrieri
Maria Patrizia
MP
D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006678:HIV; 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 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a