Frequency of Depression In patients With HCV On Interferon Alfa Therapy

Abstract

Objective: To determine frequency of Depression in Patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) on Antiviral Therapy and to compare the results with international studies. Study Design: Cross sectional Descriptive studies. Settings: In outdoor patients of medicine department DHQ hospital Faisalabad. Duration: From 01-08-2016to 31-01 -2017. Methodology: Adult patients of either gender with HCV were included in the study. Patients of hepatocellular carcinoma and HIV with were excluded. Nonprobability consecutive sampling technique was used. After enrollment of patients according to criterion an informed consent was taken. As per criterion, questionnaire Performa was filled, data analyzed, results were compiled on SPSS version 22. Results: We included 50 patients. Age ranged from 18-60 years (mean =40.50±15.2years). Out of these 50 patients (48%) had depression, 36% were below 30 years of age and 64% were above 30 years. Patients below 30 years with depression were 14 % (7) and patients above 30 years having depression were 34% (17 pt.). Out of 48 % (24 patients) having depression, 16% (8) had mild, 14% (7) had moderate and 18% (9) had severe depression. Patients seen during second month of treatment with depression were 6% (3) and patients seen during third month had depression were 22% (11) and patient seen during 4-6thmonth of treatment with depression were 20% (10) (p value 0.306). Patient seen in third month of treatment were having maximum number of patients with depression. Conclusion: Depression is common during antiviral therapy in Pakistani population and needs to be considered in most of patients with hepatitis C. patients above 30 years are more predispose to depression.