Impulsiveness in chronic hepatitis C patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to investigate impulsiveness among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and its association with sociodemographic, clinical and psychopathological factors.


METHODS
Ninety-one CHC individuals were enrolled in a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university-based outpatient's service for infectious diseases. They were assessed using the Barrat Impulsiveness Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Structured psychiatric interview was performed according to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Multivariate analysis was performed according to linear stepwise forward regression.


RESULTS
The total score of impulsiveness according to BIS in studied population was 64.6±9.8. The scores for the nonplanning, cognitive-attentional and motor domains were 23.8±5, 19.4±2.9 and 21.4±5, respectively. Impulsiveness was associated with lower educational level, current interferon-α (IFN) use, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, alcohol use disorder, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, specific phobia, bipolar spectrum disorders and anxiety symptoms. During IFN treatment, impulsiveness was also associated with suicide risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Impulsiveness was frequent in CHC patients and was associated with several psychopathological alterations. Impulsiveness management should be considered when attending CHC patients.
Neuropsychiatry Group, Neurology Division, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG., Brazil; Infectious Diseases Reference Center-CTR-DIP Orestes Diniz, Municipal Health Division/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30150-260 Belo Horizonte, MG., Brazil; Tropical Medicine Program, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo 30130-100 Horizonte, MG., Brazil. Electronic address: brunofabregas@yahoo.com.br.
Bruno Cópio
BC
Fábregas
Neuropsychiatry Group, Neurology Division, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG., Brazil.
Mery Natali Silva
MN
Abreu
Neuropsychiatry Group, Neurology Division, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG., Brazil.
Aieska Kellen Dantas
AK
Dos Santos
Infectious Diseases Reference Center-CTR-DIP Orestes Diniz, Municipal Health Division/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30150-260 Belo Horizonte, MG., Brazil.
Alexandre Sampaio
AS
Moura
Infectious Diseases Reference Center-CTR-DIP Orestes Diniz, Municipal Health Division/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30150-260 Belo Horizonte, MG., Brazil.
Ricardo Andrade
RA
Carmo
Neuropsychiatry Group, Neurology Division, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG., Brazil; Tropical Medicine Program, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo 30130-100 Horizonte, MG., Brazil.
Antônio Lúcio
AL
Teixeira
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology
D016898:Interferon-alpha
Chronic hepatitis C; Impulsive behavior; Interferon-α; Mental health