Depression in Hepatitis B and C, and Its Correlation With Hepatitis Drugs Consumption (Interfron/Lamivodin/Ribaverin)

Objective: Chronic infection of hepatitis B and hepatitis C are considered as the most important infectious diseases, which lead to drastic consequences such as liver dysfunction. Depression is a psychiatric disorder which is concomitantly present in these patients, and decreases the patients’ quality of life. It may lead to suicide, homicide or intentional transmission of infectious to others. Medical treatment with interferon can also lead to depression which is comparable to the depression caused by disease. Methods: We performed a cross sectional study on 205 patients with hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression via Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and its correlates with hepatitis drugs. Results: Of 205 patients, 154 cases had hepatitis B and 51 cases had hepatitis C infection. The frequency of depression was 68% in hepatitis B and 86% in hepatitis C infected patients (p<0.05). The frequency of mild depression was 14%, moderate depression was 57.3% and severe depression was 28.7% (p<0.05). Depression frequency in Interferon recipients was 100%, in interferon-ribavirin recipients was 94.4%, in lamivudine recipients was 64%, and in patients that receive no drug was 66.7%. Depression prevalence was significantly higher among those on interferon therapy (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of depression among patients with hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection, especially patients on interferon therapy. Hence these patients should be repeatedly evaluated for depression.