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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2007 Nov 21;13(43):5736-40.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i43.5736.

Early prediction of major depression in chronic hepatitis C patients during peg-interferon alpha-2b treatment by assessment of vegetative-depressive symptoms after four weeks

Geert Robaeys  1 , Jozef De Bie, Marieke C Wichers, Liesbeth Bruckers, Frederik Nevens, Peter Michielsen, Marc Van Ranst, Frank Buntinx
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Early prediction of major depression in chronic hepatitis C patients during peg-interferon alpha-2b treatment by assessment of vegetative-depressive symptoms after four weeks

Geert Robaeys et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To study the predictive value of the vegetative-depressive symptoms of the Zung Depression Rating Scale for the occurrence of depression during treatment with peg-interferon alpha-2b of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

Methods: The predictive value of vegetative-depressive symptoms at 4 wk of treatment for the occurrence of a subsequent diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) was studied in CHC patients infected after substance use in a prospective, multi-center treatment trial in Belgium. The presence of vegetative-depressive symptoms was assessed using the Zung Scale before and 4 wk after the start of antiviral treatment.

Results: Out of 49 eligible patients, 19 (39%) developed MDD. The area under the ROC curve of the vegetative Zung subscale was 0.73, P = 0.004. The sensitivity at a cut-point of > 15/35 was 95% (95% CI: 74-100). The positive predictive value equalled 44% (95% CI: 29-60).

Conclusion: In this group of Belgian CHC patients infected after substance use, antiviral treatment caused a considerable risk of depression. Seven vegetative-depressive symptoms of the Zung scale at wk 4 of treatment predicted 95% of all emerging depressions, at a price of 56% false positive test results.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of the patients included in the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
ROC prediction of depression based on vegetative Zung scale at wk 4.
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