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Severity of depression in hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients

Muhammad Omar Qureshi1, Nasir Khokhar, Farzana Shafqat

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. dr_omar211@hotmail.com

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|October 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) experience higher rates of depression. Hepatitis C patients exhibit more depressive symptoms, necessitating increased mental health monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are significant global health concerns.
  • Mental health comorbidities, such as depression, are increasingly recognized in patients with chronic liver diseases.
  • Understanding the prevalence and severity of depression in CHB and CHC is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the frequency and severity of depression in patients with CHC, CHB, and healthy individuals.
  • To identify differences in depressive symptoms between CHC and CHB patients.
  • To inform clinical practice regarding mental health screening and management in viral hepatitis.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study was conducted with 206 participants.
  • Participants were divided into three groups: CHC (n=95), CHB (n=29), and healthy controls (n=82).
  • The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess depression, with groups matched for age, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Main Results:

  • Depression was observed in all groups, with significantly higher frequencies in hepatitis patients.
  • The frequency of depression was 72.6% in CHC, 58.6% in CHB, and 37.8% in healthy subjects (p < 0.001).
  • Hepatitis C patients demonstrated a greater prevalence of depressive features compared to CHB patients.

Conclusions:

  • Both CHC and CHB are associated with a high incidence of depression.
  • Depression is more pronounced in patients with CHC than in those with CHB.
  • Enhanced mental health surveillance and a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatric specialists are recommended for managing depression in these patient populations.
Abstract

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