Psychosocial issues in hepatitis C: a qualitative analysis.
BACKGROUND
Despite demonstrated prevalence of psychosocial problems among hepatitis C (HCV) patients, little is known about how these problems develop, why they are sustained, and how clinical providers can effectively intervene.


OBJECTIVE
The authors used a qualitative approach to investigate the nature of psychosocial issues in HCV.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted with HCV patients.


RESULTS
Participants discussed significant feelings of anger, depression, and stigma associated with the diagnosis and noted that these feelings/experiences isolated them from potential sources of social support.


CONCLUSIONS
Results have important implications for clinical providers and suggest pathways by which HCV-related psychosocial factors may interact with and affect quality of life.
Janke
E Amy
EA
Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care (151H), Hines VA Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, Hines, IL 60141, USA. Elizabeth.Janke@va.gov
McGraw
Sarah
S
Garcia-Tsao
Guadalupe
G
Fraenkel
Liana
L
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000786:Anger; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping