title: Frequency of depression and somatic symptoms in patients on interferon alpha/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Large numbers of patients suffering from Chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) are seeking treatment with interferon alpha (IFN) because of significant advances in overall improvement in the course of HCV and its complications. Objectives were to estimate the frequency of depression and somatic symptoms in patients on interferon alpha/ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was an observational study conducted in the out-patient Department of Gastroenterology Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore during a period of three months, i.e., from September to November 2008. One hundred consecutive patients undergoing interferon alpha/ ribavirin treatment for chronic HCV were included in the study. All patients, irrespective of age, sex or duration of treatment were administered with a check list of common physical complaints and DSM-IV symptoms for Major Depressive Episode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of a total of 100 subjects 37 were male and 63 were female. In all, 39 (39%) patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV for Major Depressive Episode. Major Depression was more common in female 28 (44.4%) as compared to male 11 (28.7%) patients. Somatic symptoms were common in all the patients but they were reported more frequently by patients with Major Depression compared to those without Major Depression. Myalgias, headache, joint pain, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain and palpitation were the most common physical symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Major Depression and somatic complaints are a common consequence of interferon alpha/ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C. All patients receiving this treatment should be periodically assessed for the detection of these side effects to promptly address relevant treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. ashakoor62@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shakoor
authors.forename: Farzana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shafqat
authors.forename: Tafazzul e Haque
authors.initials: Te
authors.lastname: Mehmud
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Anwaar A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin