RESUMO
Over 4 million people in the United States are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and, if untreated, over 20% of these will progress to more serious disease. Persons with severe mental illness (SMI) have markedly elevated rates of HCV infection, but treatment of persons with SMI and HCV has been controversial. Effective antiviral treatment is available, but side effects include depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms. This article reviews the available data on neuropsychiatric side effects of interferon (IFN) treatment, discusses the limitations of the current research, and makes recommendations regarding HCV treatment in persons with SMI.
Assuntos
Antivirais/efeitos adversos , Transtorno Depressivo Maior/induzido quimicamente , Transtorno Depressivo Maior/epidemiologia , Hepatite C Crônica/tratamento farmacológico , Hepatite C Crônica/epidemiologia , Interferons/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Transtornos Mentais/epidemiologiaRESUMO
We report on three patients with hepatitis C virus infection, severe mental illness, and substance use disorders that we treated successfully with interferon and ribavirin. This population has historically been refused such treatment on the grounds that they were unlikely to be adherent to treatment or would experience untoward psychiatric side effects. These case reports add support to the growing body of evidence that persons with severe mental illness and substance use disorders can be successfully treated for hepatitis C with careful monitoring and psychiatric oversight.
