Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α

Kimberley J Smith¹, Suzanne Norris², Cliona O'Farrelly³, O'Mara SM¹¹Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, ²Hepatology Centre, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; ³Dep...

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Main Authors: Smith KJ, Norris S, O'Farrelly C, O'Mara SM
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2011-05-01
Series:Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Online Access:http://www.dovepress.com/risk-factors-for-the-development-of-depression-in-patients-with-hepati-a7460
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author Smith KJ
Norris S
O'Farrelly C
O'Mara SM
author_facet Smith KJ
Norris S
O'Farrelly C
O'Mara SM
author_sort Smith KJ
collection DOAJ
description Kimberley J Smith¹, Suzanne Norris², Cliona O'Farrelly³, O'Mara SM¹¹Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, ²Hepatology Centre, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; ³Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandAbstract: Interferon-α, currently used for the treatment of hepatitis C, is associated with a substantially elevated risk of depression. However, not everyone who takes this drug becomes depressed, so it is important to understand what particular factors may make some individuals more 'at risk' of developing depression than others. Currently there is no consensus as to why interferon-induced depression occurs and the range of putative risk factors is wide and diverse. The identification of risk factors prior to treatment may allow identification of patients who will become depressed on interferon, allowing the possibility of improved treatment support and rates of treatment adherence. Here, we consolidate and review the literature on risk factors, and we discuss the potential confounds within the research examined in order to better isolate the risk factors that may be important in the development of depression in these patients and which might help predict patients likely to become depressed on treatment. We suggest that interactions between psychobehavioral, genetic, and biological risk factors are of particular importance in the occurrence of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α.Keywords: interferon-α, risk factors, depression, hepatitis C
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spelling doaj.art-ef8d14a5849a42ac8d14a5a57306ff392022-12-21T17:17:48ZengDove Medical PressNeuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment1176-63281178-20212011-05-012011Issue 1275292Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-αSmith KJNorris SO'Farrelly CO'Mara SMKimberley J Smith¹, Suzanne Norris², Cliona O'Farrelly³, O'Mara SM¹¹Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, ²Hepatology Centre, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; ³Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandAbstract: Interferon-α, currently used for the treatment of hepatitis C, is associated with a substantially elevated risk of depression. However, not everyone who takes this drug becomes depressed, so it is important to understand what particular factors may make some individuals more 'at risk' of developing depression than others. Currently there is no consensus as to why interferon-induced depression occurs and the range of putative risk factors is wide and diverse. The identification of risk factors prior to treatment may allow identification of patients who will become depressed on interferon, allowing the possibility of improved treatment support and rates of treatment adherence. Here, we consolidate and review the literature on risk factors, and we discuss the potential confounds within the research examined in order to better isolate the risk factors that may be important in the development of depression in these patients and which might help predict patients likely to become depressed on treatment. We suggest that interactions between psychobehavioral, genetic, and biological risk factors are of particular importance in the occurrence of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α.Keywords: interferon-α, risk factors, depression, hepatitis Chttp://www.dovepress.com/risk-factors-for-the-development-of-depression-in-patients-with-hepati-a7460
spellingShingle Smith KJ
Norris S
O'Farrelly C
O'Mara SM
Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
title Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α
title_full Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α
title_fullStr Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α
title_full_unstemmed Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α
title_short Risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis C taking interferon-α
title_sort risk factors for the development of depression in patients with hepatitis c taking interferon amp alpha
url http://www.dovepress.com/risk-factors-for-the-development-of-depression-in-patients-with-hepati-a7460
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