Risk factors and clinical characteristics of the depressive state induced by pegylated interferon therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus infection: A prospective study.

Abstract

AIM:

Pegylated interferon (PegIFN) therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often induce a depressive state. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for and clinical characteristics of PegIFN-induced depressive state.

METHODS:

Sixty-nine subjects with HCV who received PegIFN therapy were enrolled. Before beginning therapy, all subjects were evaluated using the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factor Inventory and the List of Threatening Events Questionnaire. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were also evaluated at baseline, 2-4 weeks after initiating therapy, and every 4 weeks thereafter.

RESULTS:

During the study, 18 subjects (24.3%) developed a depressive state (BDI ≥ 10). A bimodal peak of onset was observed during the early (2-8 weeks) and late (after 20 weeks) therapy phases. Moreover, we observed that baseline BDI scores (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40, P  = 0.0104) and neuroticism (OR = 1.14, P  = 0.0275) were significant risk factors for developing a depressive state. To determine the specific characteristics of this condition, we compared the BDI subscales between the 'PegIFN-induced' and 'general' depressive state reported previously. We found that the score at 'somatic symptoms' was higher in the 'PegIFN-induced' group.

CONCLUSION:

Our results indicate the following: (i) PegIFN-induced depressive state most frequently develops during the first 8 weeks of therapy; (ii) baseline BDI and neuroticism scores are risk factors for PegIFN-induced depressive state; and (iii) the core symptoms of PegIFN-induced depressive state are different from those of 'general' depression.

• Authors: Kohei Kawase, Kenji Kondo, Takeo Saito, Ayu Shimasaki, Atsushi Takahashi, Yoichiro Kamatani, Naoto Kawabe, Senju Hashimoto, Masashi Ikeda, Michiaki Kubo, Kentaro Yoshioka, Nakao Iwata
• Journal: Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences (Psychiatry Clin Neurosci) Vol. 70 Issue 11 Pg. 489-497 (Nov 2016) ISSN: 1440-1819 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 27471075 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2016 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences © 2016 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferons

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects)
• Depression (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Female
• Hepatitis C (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferons (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors