Suicidal ideation during interferon-α2b and ribavirin treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C

• Published in: General hospital psychiatry 2004-05, Vol.26 (3), p.237-240
• Main Authors: Dieperink, Eric, Ho, Samuel B., Tetrick, Lori, Thuras, Paul, Dua, Kulwinder, Willenbring, Mark L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Depression; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Hepatitis C; Interferon; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...); Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Psychiatric disorders; Suicidal ideation
• ISSN: 0163-8343; 1873-7714
• DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2004.01.003

Psychiatric and substance use disorders affect most patients with chronic hepatitis C and are the most common reasons for exclusion from antiviral therapies. Suicidal ideation (SI) is often cited as a reason to exclude patients from interferon-based treatment or to terminate antiviral treatment that is in progress. This study examines SI in hepatitis C patients untreated and treated with interferon-α2b, a medication commonly associated with depression. Fifty-five subjects with chronic hepatitis C were followed for 24 weeks with three measures of depression, each containing one item assessing SI. A total of 15/55 (27%) subjects reported SI while not on interferon therapy. Of the 42 patients treated with interferon, 18 (43%) endorsed SI at some point during antiviral treatment. However, 17/18 (94%) finished at least a 6-month course of interferon therapy. No subjects attempted suicide. Although SI in some form is common in hepatitis C patients, in most cases it is mild in nature. With adequate support most patients can successfully complete a full course of antiviral treatment.