title: Prevalence and severity of depression in chronic viral hepatitis in Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and severity of depression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, and healthy participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and fifty-three persons participated in this cross-sectional study between 2011 and 2012 in Imam Khomeini Hospital. The prevalence and severity of depression were assessed using the Hamilton Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significantly higher prevalence of depression in CHC patients (35.9%) than in healthy participants (11.3%) and CHB patients (19.8%) (both P < 0.01). However, CHB and CHC patients did not differ significantly in their depression prevalence after excluding inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers (29.3% vs. 35.9%; P > 0.05). Inactive HBsAg carriers differed significantly from CHB patients-excluding inactive HBsAg carriers-in depression prevalence (10.0% vs. 29.3%; P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in depression severity between all groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression screening in chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C patients may be beneficial in disease management.
authors: Rheumatology Research Centre, Vali-asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mojgan
authors: M
authors: Mirabdolhagh Hazaveh
authors: Rheumatology Research Centre, Vali-asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran fatemehs2003@yahoo.com.
authors: Taraneh
authors: T
authors: Dormohammadi Toosi
authors: Gastrointestinal Research Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Nasiri Toosi
authors: Rheumatology Research Centre, Vali-asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Tavakoli
authors: Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Shahbazi
keywords: chronic hepatitis; depression; hepatitis B; hepatitis C