Antiviral completion rates and sustained viral response in hepatitis C patients with and without preexisting major depressive disorder.

Publication/Presentation Date

9-1-2009

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence suggesting that the majority of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have psychiatric and substance use disorders, patients with these comorbidities have historically been excluded from antiviral therapy for HCV.

OBJECTIVE: The authors compared antiviral completion and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates between hepatitis C (HCV) patients with versus those without preexisting major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHOD: The authors performed a chart review of HCV patients (30 with MDD and 25 control subjects) who attended an optional HCV education class and signed informed consent allowing collection of clinical data.

RESULTS: The MDD group had completion and SVR rates similar to those of control subjects. Neuropsychiatric side effects and reasons for discontinuation of treatment were not different between groups.

CONCLUSION: Patients with MDD can be safely and effectively treated with antiviral therapy.

Volume

50

Issue

5

First Page

500

Last Page

505

ISSN

1545-7206

Disciplines

Psychiatry

PubMedID

19855036

Department(s)

Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry Faculty

Document Type

Article

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