Psychiatric Morbidity, Fatigue, Stigma and Quality of Life of Patients With Hepatitis B Infection

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, fatigue, stigma and quality of life (QOL) of patients with hepatitis B infection. Additional aim of the study was to evaluate the correlates of psychiatric morbidity and QOL in patients with hepatitis B infection. Methods: A total of 150 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (75 inactive carriers and 75 patients with chronic hepatitis) were evaluated on Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-PLUS, World Health Organization-QOL-BREF scale, Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire, Toronto Chinese HBV Stigma Scale, HBV knowledge scale and Fatigue Severity scale. Results: About half of the study participants (49.3%) had at least one lifetime psychiatric morbidity and of these more than one-third (37.3%) fulfilled at least one current psychiatric diagnosis. Generalized anxiety disorder was seen in 19.3% of the participants. Major depressive disorder was the second most common psychiatric diagnosis fulfilled at the time of assessment, with nearly equal prevalence of first episode of depression (8%) and recurrent depressive disorder (7.3%). Compared to those with inactive hepatitis, patients in the chronic hepatitis group had poorer QOL and experienced more fatigue. However, both the groups did not differ in terms of knowledge and stigma. Compared to those without current or lifetime psychiatric diagnosis, those with current or lifetime psychiatric diagnosis had poorer QOL, higher level of stigma and higher fatigue scale. Conclusion: About half of the patients with HBV infection have psychiatric morbidity, which has negative impact on QOL of patients. Hence, it is important to recognize psychiatric morbidity among patients with HBV.