Marseille 2007
| Abstract #342 - DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AFTER INITIATION OF INTERFERON THERAPY IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-INFECTED PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C | ||||
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Session: 26.93: Posters B (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Jordi Blanch Andreu - HOSPITAL CLINIC, Spain |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Montserrat Laguno, Dr Jos-Lus Blanco, Dr Agata Leon, Dr Mara Larrousse, Dr Josep Mallolas, Dr Joan De Pablo, | ||||
| Aim: In this study we evaluated the incidence and management of depressive symptoms during interferon alpha (IFa) therapy in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C. | ||||
| Method / Issue: HIV infected patients with CHC who began IFa and ribavirin during the recruitment period between April 2001 and April 2003 were included in the study. Patients with a history of major depressive disorder were excluded. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Of 113 co-infected patients who started IFa therapy during the recruitment period, 45 (40%) developed symptoms of depression (sadness, tiredness, apathy). Twenty of them (44%) were treated with citalopram, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), resulting in a significant improvement in their symptoms. Most of the patients (60%) showed depressive side effects in the first three months after initiation of IFa. | ||||
| Discussion: The incidence of depressive symptoms in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection treated with Interferon Alpha is high. Most of the depressive symptoms were not severe and improved with antidepressant therapy, without reduction or cessation of IFa therapy. During the first weeks after initiating IFa therapy for HIV/HCV co-infection, close assessment of the psychiatric symptoms is recommended. Early treatment of these side effects with antidepressants would help avoid early dropouts from interferon therapy. | ||||
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