Prevalence and severity of depression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis in Kazakhstan

Depression is a common issue among patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Living with chronic hepatitis can create chronic stress, which is a known risk factor for developing or exacerbating depression. This stress can be related to concerns about health, the effectiveness of treatment, and the social implications of the illness. Neuropsychological scales and assessments can objectively measure the severity of depression and other mental health issues in these patients. The presence of depression was studied in 233 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, who were treated in the Infectious Disease Hospital of Shymkent and the Regional Hepatology Centre of Shymkent in the period from March 2021 to January 2022. All patients were examined using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to identify the presence of depression. Of the 233 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, 38.3% had mild depressive disorder, 2.7% of patients had scores indicating moderate depressive disorder, and 2.7% of patients were found to have major depressive disorder. Multivariate analysis showed that older age, the form of chronic viral hepatitis, higher viral load, and female gender were most strongly associated with depression. Depression is a common manifestation in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and can lead to cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, memory problems, and decreased executive function. In the context of chronic hepatitis, which may already affect liver function and metabolic processes, untreated depression can exacerbate these cognitive deficits.