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Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C is a common and often serious condition. Current treatment uses antiviral therapy based on alpha interferon. Neuropsychiatric side effects are common with interferon therapy, and the management of mood disorders during treatment for hepatitis C is an important part of helping patients maintain compliance, thus improving their chance of having a successful treatment outcome. This descriptive study examined the incidence of mood disorders in 29 treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C participating in a clinical trial of various interferon-based therapies. Relationships among mood disorders, use of antidepressants, hepatitis treatment compliance, and sustained treatment response (having undetectable hepatitis C viral load 24 weeks post-treatment) were examined. Eighty-one percent of sustained responders experienced psychiatric events, and it is speculated that comprehensive nursing support and intervention were key components in achieving favorable patient outcomes.