title: Depression rather than liver impairment reduces quality of life in patients with hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have a poorer quality of life than those with other chronic liver diseases. However, some of the factors that determine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in these patients, such as the degree of liver fibrosis, are still controversial. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of CHC on HRQOL by conducting clinical, psychiatric, and sociodemographic evaluations.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients attending a referral center for hepatitis were evaluated using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatry Interview, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to quantify independent associations between HRQOL and the clinical, psychiatric, and sociodemographic variables of interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reduced HRQOL was independently associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and with elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, but was not associated with hepatic cirrhosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MDD rather than the grade of liver fibrosis was strongly associated with HRQOL impairment in patients with CHC. These findings highlight that, in patients with CHC, the psychological effects of the disease deserve more attention and the implementation of integrated medical, psychiatric, and psychological care may be helpful.
authors: Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Luciana D
authors: LD
authors: Silva
authors: Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Cláudia C da
authors: CC
authors: Cunha
authors: Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Luciana R da
authors: LR
authors: Cunha
authors: Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Renato F
authors: RF
authors: Araújo
authors: Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Vanessa M
authors: VM
authors: Barcelos
authors: Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Penélope L
authors: PL
authors: Menta
authors: Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Fernando S
authors: FS
authors: Neves
authors: Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Rosangela
authors: R
authors: Teixeira
authors: Laboratory of Research in Bacteriology, School of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Gifone A
authors: GA
authors: Rocha
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Eliane D
authors: ED
authors: Gontijo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D048550:Hepatic Insufficiency / Q000523:psychology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult