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The effect of pegylated interferon-alpha2b and ribavirin on posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms
Eric Dieperink1, Jennie Leskela, Michael E Dieperink
1Dept. of Psychiatry and the Hepatitis C Resource Center at the VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. Eric.Dieperink@med.va.gov
Background:
Patients with chronic psychiatric diagnoses have a prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) approximately 11 times higher than the general American population. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is particularly common among HCV patients.
Objective:
The authors describe the effect of treatment with pegylated-interferon-alpha(2b) (IFN) and ribavirin for patients with HCV on their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Method:
Sixteen patients with HCV and combat-related PTSD were followed for 24 weeks and assessed with self-report measures of PTSD, hostility, and depression.
Results:
Depression and Resentment scores significantly increased in five patients treated with IFN and ribavirin, but no significant differences were found in PTSD scores when compared with 11 control patients.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that patients with PTSD and HCV can be safely treated with anti-viral therapies when they are given appropriate psychiatric care.
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