Effects of recognizing depression with a standardized questionnaire (CES-D) versus patient reporting of depression after a single-standardized question on the outcomes of treatment for hepatitis C with pegylated interferon-α-2b and ribavirin.
BACKGROUND
Depression may worsen during antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus, resulting in noncompliance treatment.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to compare the response and compliance rates between the groups of veteran patients using two different methods of identifying depression, either the Centers for Epidemiology Studies for Depression Scale (group A) questionnaire or the report of symptoms of depression after a single-standardized question by the health care provider (group B).


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-nine patients were randomly assigned to the two groups before the treatment.


RESULTS
No statistical differences were noted in baseline characteristics between the groups. Depression was common in both the groups. No difference between initial Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores and diagnosis of depression between the two groups was noted. Furthermore, the number of patients diagnosed with depression during the treatment was similar in each group. There were no significant differences between the groups in rates of sustained viral response (30% group A, 35% group B) or in rates of overall compliance with patients receiving more than 90% of prescribed PegIntronA therapy (44% group A, 39% group B), and ribavirin (32% group A and 37% group B).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the Centers for Epidemiology Studies for Depression Scale questionnaire to recognize depression had no significant advantage over patient reporting of depression symptoms after a single-standardized question on the hepatitis C virus clearance and the treatment compliance rates in veteran populations.
Phillips
Frances H
FH
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas 75216, USA.
Prebis
Melanie
M
Grumbeck
Catherine
C
Hale
Teresa
T
Cubillas
Raul
R
Brown
Geri R
GR
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b