STUDY TO KNOW THE DEPRESSION IN THE PATIENTS OF HEPATITES 'C'

Objective: To estimate the frequency of depression among hepatitis C positive patients.

Study Design: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted.

Study Duration: Six month (from July, 2018 to December, 2018.)

Place of Study: Department of Medicine, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi.

Material and Methods:

 This study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi from July, 2018 to December, 2018, on 100 diagnosed Hepatitis C positive patients above 13 years of age and of both sexes. Depression was assessed using DSM-IV criteria. Patients were divided into three sub groups, patients with ongoing treatment interferon (IFN)/ribavirin (or both), post treatment patients and patients with hepatitis C but without any treatment. Results:  Out of 100 patients, (50 males and 50 females), 92% were married, ranging in age from 17 to 75 years with a mean age of 43 +12.6 years. Regarding treatment, 72% patients were taking treatment (88% on interferon + ribavirin and 12% on IFN alone), 8% were post treatment while 20% patients did not take any medication. The frequency of depression among all subgroups was 90% with 6% population being depressed even before diagnosis, 5% after they got to know that they are HCV positive and 32% after the IFN treatment. Interestingly 47% patients had depression both before starting IFN and also continuing after IFN therapy.  Suicidal ideation was reported by 6%. None of HCV positive cases were on any antidepressants. Fifteen percent patients had positive family history of HCV.

Conclusion:

This study reflects high frequency of undiagnosed depression in hepatitis C patients, with significant levels of depression among all patient subgroups. Depression is largely undetected and untreated.

Key words: Hepatitis-C, Depression, Psychiatric Disorder, IFN Alpha