Cognitive impairment in relation to depression, anxiety and virological response in hepatitis C patients in Egypt

Objective. Cognitive impairment commonly occurs in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and sociodemographic and clinical correlates of cognitive impairment in HCV patients before and aft er 12 weeks of interferon treatment in comparison with a control group. Methods. Hundred and sixteen consecutive HCV patients were included in the study and divided into treated and untreated groups. All patients were assessed using sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before and aft er 12 weeks of treatment or observation. Results. Thirty-eight percent of treated patients showed cognitive impairment at baseline, which increased to 69% aft er 12 weeks of interferon treatment. This cognitive impairment was reflected in the total MOCA score and in visuo-constructional skills, attention, concentration, working memory, language, and short-term memory, which was not shown by untreated group aft er 12 weeks of observation. Cognitive impairment was associated with low education, but not with depression, anxiety, or virological response. Conclusions. Cognitive impairment is common in HCV patients and increases significantly aft er interferon treatment. It is not related to depression or anxiety in HCV patients. Future research should focus on prevention, treatment and outcome of cognitive impairment in HCV patients, particularly those receiving interferon therapy.