Antiviral completion rates and sustained viral response in hepatitis C patients with and without preexisting major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence suggesting that the majority of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have psychiatric and substance use disorders, patients with these comorbidities have historically been excluded from antiviral therapy for HCV.

OBJECTIVE

The authors compared antiviral completion and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates between hepatitis C (HCV) patients with versus those without preexisting major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHOD

The authors performed a chart review of HCV patients (30 with MDD and 25 control subjects) who attended an optional HCV education class and signed informed consent allowing collection of clinical data.

RESULTS

The MDD group had completion and SVR rates similar to those of control subjects. Neuropsychiatric side effects and reasons for discontinuation of treatment were not different between groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with MDD can be safely and effectively treated with antiviral therapy.