Fatigue in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Chronic hepatitis C poses significant health challenges, with fatigue being a prevalent and debilitating symptom.
• Antiviral therapy, while effective, can influence patient well-being and symptom experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with fatigue in chronic hepatitis C patients before and during antiviral treatment.
• To understand the temporal relationship between treatment, physiological changes, and fatigue levels.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, repeated-measures design involving 115 chronic hepatitis C patients.
• Utilized the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-C) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for data collection.
• Monitored Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin dosages and serum values (hemoglobin, ALT, AST) throughout 24 weeks of therapy.

Main Results:

• Multivariate analysis revealed gender, educational level, BMI, and hemoglobin as significant determinants of fatigue.
• A notable decrease in hemoglobin levels was observed, reaching its lowest point at week 12.
• Declining hemoglobin levels correlated with increased fatigue, necessitating clinical attention.

Conclusions:

• Specific demographic and physiological factors influence fatigue in chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral therapy.
• Close monitoring of hemoglobin levels is essential for proactive fatigue management during treatment.
• Healthcare providers should assess fatigue and intervene proactively when hemoglobin declines.