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Barriers to accessing care in patients with chronic hepatitis C: the impact of depression

D M Evon1, K M Simpson, D Esserman

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. donna_evon@med.unc.edu

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|November 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Depression significantly impacts hepatitis C (HCV) patients' ability to access care and receive treatment. Addressing mental health is crucial for improving HCV patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Patients with hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection often face challenges accessing specialized care.
  • These access barriers may be closely linked to the presence of depressive symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between perceived barriers to HCV care, patient demographics, and depressive symptoms.
  • To understand how depression influences the experience of barriers to HCV treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study analyzed 126 patients referred to HCV specialty clinics.
  • Standardized instruments measured barriers to care, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographics.
  • Retrospective chart review collected data on clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Depressive symptoms were present in 26% of patients.
  • Key barriers included financial constraints, community knowledge gaps, provider expertise, stigma, and travel distance.
  • Depression independently explained 7-18% of the variability in perceived barriers.
  • Lower depression, marital, and employment status predicted HCV treatment receipt, unlike perceived barriers.

Conclusions:

  • Depression is an independent factor associated with perceived barriers to HCV care.
  • Higher depression scores, not perceived barriers, correlated with a lack of treatment.
  • Healthcare providers must recognize the influence of depression on perceived barriers and treatment adherence for HCV patients.
Abstract

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