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. 2009 Sep-Oct;50(5):500-5.
doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.50.5.500.

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

Peter Hauser  1 , Benjamin J Morasco, Alex Linke, Dannell Bjornson, Samantha Ruimy, Annette Matthews, Aly Rifai, David W Indest, Jennifer M Loftis
Affiliations

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

Peter Hauser et al. Psychosomatics. 2009 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

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.

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