Frequency of depression in chronic Hepatitis C naive patients

Objectives: To determine frequency of depression in chronic hepatitis C naive patients before interferon therapy using CES-D questionnaire. Methodology: Patients testing positive antibodies to HCV by EIA of more than 6 months duration and who have not taken interferon therapy previously were included after taking informed consent. Patients who had co-infections such as hepatitis B and D virus or human immunodeficiency virus, or patients with other coexisting chronic liver disease like primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic autoimmune hepatitis and Wilson disease were excluded from study. Urdu version of CES-D a self-reporting questionnaire in public domain was administered. A score of >10 was taken consistent with depression. Results: Ninety-six patients were included and 59.4% were depressed. These included 57.9% males and 42.1% females. Highest frequency was seen in under-graduates and positive correlation was seen with duration of hepatitis C infection. Conclusions: This study showed that 59.4% of patients with hepatitis C have depression before initiation of therapy and this should be evaluated and treated if necessary before starting interferon therapy.