Abstract
Interferon (IFN) is an effective agent in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis C. A variety of adverse neuropsychiatric effects including anxiety, depression, delirium, psychoses, and mania complicates its usage. IFN-α-induced depression is presumed to be composed of two overlapping syndromes: a depression-specific syndrome characterized by depressed mood, anxiety, and cognitive complaints, and a neurovegetative syndrome consisting of fatigue, anorexia, somatic pain complaints, and psychomotor retardation [1]. Our results show that depression-specific symptoms peak at 12 weeks of IFN therapy and respond well to serotoninergic antidepressants [2]. We conclude that neurovegetative symptoms are relatively treatment refractory to antidepressants, occur early in the course of treatment, and tend to persist for the duration of therapy [1].
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 893-896 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Digestive diseases and sciences |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2007 |
Keywords
- Chronic hepatitis C
- Fatigue
- Interferon
- Modafinil
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Gastroenterology