General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 26, Issue 3 , Pages 237-240, May 2004

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

  • Eric Dieperink, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry (116A), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1-612-725-2000 x3964; fax: +1-612-725-2013.
  • ,
  • Samuel B. Ho, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
    • Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • ,
  • Lori Tetrick, L.P.N.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • ,
  • Paul Thuras, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry (116A), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • ,
  • Kulwinder Dua, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA
  • ,
  • Mark L. Willenbring, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry (116A), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Received 16 September 2003; accepted 7 January 2004.

Abstract 

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.

Keywords:  Hepatitis C, Suicidal ideation, Depression, Interferon, Psychiatric disorders

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PII: S0163-8343(04)00017-9

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2004.01.003

General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 26, Issue 3 , Pages 237-240, May 2004