title: Psychiatric implications of hepatitis-C infection.
abstract: Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) has infected an estimated 130 million people worldwide, most of whom are chronically infected. Infection is marked by both treatment- and non-treatment-related psychiatric symptoms. Symptoms associated with antiretroviral therapy, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), include acute confusional states, delirium, depression, irritability, and even mania. These psychiatric symptoms are further complicated by the high rate of substance abuse and comorbid HIV infection inherent to this population. Even in the absence of IFN-alpha therapy, comorbid depression, cognitive decline, and especially fatigue are common in patients suffering HCV. These comorbidities have significant effects on both treatments and outcomes, and thus are reviewed herein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Research in Psychiatry Neuroimmunology Laboratory, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33613, USA. bgiunta@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giunta
authors.forename: Charurut
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Somboonwit
authors.forename: William V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: Elona
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rrapo
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shapshak
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007508:Irritable Mood / Q000187:drug effects; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha