Genotype 1 of hepatitis C virus increases the risk of major depression: a 12-week prospective study

Depressive symptoms have been frequently observed in association with immune activation. We prospectively evaluate depressive symptoms and risk factors for major depression in patients with hepatitis C virus treated with antiviral combined therapy.

Fifty patients were assessed during 1 year; the structured diagnostic interview - Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - was used to screen psychiatric disorders at the baseline and during the 4th and 12th week of antiviral therapy.

generalized estimating equations and pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment.

In our sample the prevalence of the Genotype 1 was 42%, and the pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin was the most prevalent treatment used for hepatitis C (86%). We found increased risk of depression in the 4th week (34%) but not in the 12th week (24%) compared with baseline values (20%) (P=0.040). In addition, we found differences between depression prevalence and hepatitis C genotypes, with higher odds in the 4th week compared to the baseline and 12th week [OR: 2.1(1.15-2.9); P=0.040]. Patients with the Genotype 2/3 had significantly lower odds of presenting depression compared to the Genotype 1 [OR: 0.3 (0.1-0.9); P=0.030].

This study provides evidence for an association between hepatitis C genotype and major depression, showing that besides immune activation, the Genotype 1 is associated with increased risk for psychiatric symptoms during the follow-up.