INTERFERON (IFN α) INDUCED DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS OF HEPATITIS C (HCV)

HCV is a global problem and the worst affected are the 3 rd world countries. In our study of 802 patients 244 male and 161 females were positive for HCV. Majority of the patients were in age group 26-40 Years i-e 56.04% of the study population. Depression an affective disorder was found during screening in 85 (21%) of patients at base line level. This was elevated to 150 (37%) after treatment with IFN-α & ribavirin. Out of these patients 85 (56.6) had mild, 57 patients (38%) had moderate and 8 patient 5.4% had severe depression. We conclude that HCV is associated with depression and its intensity increases with treatment with IFN-α & ribavirin and needs effective control with antidepressants.