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[Psychiatric sequelae of interferon-alpha therapy]
Attila Kovács1, Arpád Szomor, Ildikó Abrahám
1Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Pszichiátriai és Orvosi Pszichológiai Klinika.
Introduction:
Psychopathologic conditions commonly complicate the treatment with the interferon-alpha. The most important among them is depression, which can induce suicidal attempt. The outcome of mental side effects of interferon-alpha necessitate the discontinuation of therapy and, in more severe cases, psychiatric treatment.
Aim And Method:
A brief literature review presents the biology of interferon-alpha with emphasis on the central nervous system effects which are probably closely related to mental side effects. Three case reports demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of interferon induced psychiatric conditions.
Results:
The appearance of neuropsychiatric side effects of interferon-alpha are frequent, the consequences of which can prove dramatic: involvement of the vital prognosis, psychiatric morbidity, especially depressions, and suicidal risk.
Conclusion:
The close collaboration of clinical practitioners and psychiatrists, from the pre-therapeutical evaluation to the follow up care is required.