Major depressive disorder with psychotic features induced by interferon-alpha treatment for hepatitis C in a polydrug abuser

Adjunctive use of interferon γ inducer for treatment of patients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

The present paper is devoted to evaluation of clinical and immunomodulatory effect of ultra-high dilutions of antibodies to human interferon γ, included in the complex therapy of patients with schizophrenia. Materials and methods The study was carried out at the Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk, Russian Federation. This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised in parallel-group study enrolled 40 patients. As a part of complex therapy, patients from the main group (n=20) received anaferon, a drug containing ultra-high dilutions of affinity-purified antibodies to human interferon γ as the active pharmaceutical ingredient; patients from the comparative group (n=20) received placebo. Duration of the therapy was 30±5 days. Assessment of severity of symptoms and changes in them were made using clinical scales: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impression, Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale. Spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin-induced production of interferon γ by immunocompetent cells in supernatants of 48 h whole blood culture of patients was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

RESULTS

The reduction of interferon-producing potential by immunocompetent cells in comparison with reference normal value was shown in total group of patients (n=40) before combined therapy. During the treatment, increase of spontaneous interferon γ production and favourable changes in psychopathological symptoms as compared with placebo were shown in subjects receiving anaferon. It was found that favourable changes in clinical symptoms assessed using clinical scales with a high degree of confidence correlated with high level of spontaneous interferon γ production.

CONCLUSION

Anaferon as a part of complex therapy of patients with schizophrenia contributes to enhancement of its efficacy acting via mechanism of psychoimmunomodulation.

Predictors of psychopathological outcome during peg-interferon and ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic HCV-correlated hepatitis

Peg-interferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy is reported to induce psychiatric symptoms and syndromes in 20% of patients treated for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. Present study was aimed to quantify the phenomenon and assess the influence of psychiatric counseling over antiviral completion rate and the use of psychometric tools, in terms of prediction of psychopathological outcome. Ninety-six HCV patients were assessed, before antiviral treatment, by means of the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), Symptom Checklist-90, and Internal State Scale (ISS). Sociodemographic and clinical variables and completion rate were collected. Binary logistic regression was performed to evaluate whether scores were predictive of psychiatric visit, development of psychiatric disorders, and need for treatment. Ninety-five patients (99%) completed antiviral treatment; 27 subjects (29%) needed psychiatric visit: among them, mood disorder was diagnosed in 15 (16%) and were pharmacologically treated. Baseline SDS and MDQ higher scores were found to be predictive of psychiatric visit [odds ratio (OR)=1.258, P<0.001 and OR=1.425, P=0.05, respectively]. Furthermore, higher MDQ score (P=0.017) and ISS hostility scores (OR=1.048, P=0.014) at baseline predicted the subsequent development of mood episodes, while ISS activation correlated negatively (OR=0.948, P=0.009). Finally, the need for treatment was predicted by higher scores at the MDQ and ISS activation items (OR=2.467, P=0.030; OR=0.970, P=0.038). Present findings suggest that psychiatric counseling may be needed in almost 30% of HCV patients on antiviral treatment, with positive influence over the completion rate. Baseline higher scores at psychometric questionnaires-MDQ-in particular, predictors of psychopathological outcome during Peg-IFN and RBV therapy in patients with chronic HCV-correlated hepatitis reflecting individual functioning before starting antiviral therapy and positive history for mood disorders, seem to predict psychiatric visit, onset of mood episodes, and need for psychopharmacological treatment. Further investigation is warranted to confirm results.

Completion of chronic hepatitis C virus treatment in interferon-induced major depressive disorder with psychotic features

Interferon (IFN)-associated psychiatric disorders can be managed without interruption to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. The limited number of cases in the literature reporting psychotic depression as an adverse drug reaction to IFN resulted in discontinuation of HCV therapy. The author reports a case of a 49 year-old man with chronic HCV genotype 1a treated with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin developing major depressive disorder with psychotic features. The patient was successfully treated with both an antidepressant and antipsychotic for this suspected IFN-associated adverse drug effect while continuing 12 months of uninterrupted HCV treatment and subsequently achieving sustained hepatitis C virological response. Although IFN can cause distressing psychiatric disturbances, appropriate treatment with psychotropic agents and careful monitoring allows patients to be maintained on a full course of HCV treatment.

Suicide risk in hepatitis C and during interferon-alpha therapy: a review and clinical update

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) affects over 170 million individuals worldwide and is a growing public health concern. Despite the availability of CHC treatment, specifically interferon-α and ribavirin, treatment of CHC is limited by concerns about psychiatric side effects including risks of suicide. Although depression has been the focus of neuropsychiatric complications from interferon-alpha (IFNα), emerging evidence has contributed to our understanding of IFNα-induced suicidal ideation and attempts. Using Pubmed, we performed a literature review of all English articles published between 1989 and April 1, 2010 on suicide in untreated and IFNα-treated patients with CHC. References in all identified review articles were scanned and included in our review. A total of 17 articles were identified. Studies have suggested that the first 12 weeks of IFNα therapy are the high-risk period. Moreover, the emergence of suicidal ideation can be linked to neuropsychiatric abnormalities, specifically serotonin depletion. Pretreatment with antidepressant treatment should be reserved for high-risk groups, as this may reduce the risk of depression and thus decrease the suicide risk indirectly. Although there is a paucity of literature on suicide and suicide risk during IFNα therapy for CHC, recent studies on IFNα-induced depression have provided some potential insights into suicide in this patient population. Further research examining the effects of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions on suicide risk during IFNα treatment is needed.

Managing depression during hepatitis C treatment

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Canada is estimated to be 1% and expected to increase during the next decade. Mental illness, particularly depression, is common among HCV-infected patients and remains an obstacle to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment. We summarize the risk factors for interferon-alpha-induced major depressive disorder (IFN-alpha-MDD) in HCV patients and the evidence for antidepressant prophylaxis and symptomatic antidepressant treatment of depression.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL for randomized controlled or quasi-experimental trials evaluating antidepressant prophylactic and symptomatic treatment approaches for depression emerging during IFN-alpha treatment. Manual searches of references listed in review articles, case series, and anecdotal reports supplemented our literature search.

RESULTS

A total of 9 trials involving prophylactic and symptomatic treatment approaches for IFN-alpha-MDD are summarized in our review. Antidepressant pretreatment is beneficial for patients with elevated baseline depressive symptoms and a preexisting history of IFN-alpha-MDD. Although limited evidence exists for several antidepressant agents, much of the evidence suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are safe and efficacious in treating depressive symptoms secondary to IFN-alpha therapy.

CONCLUSION

Both antidepressant pretreatment and symptomatic treatment are viable strategies for treating IFN-alpha-MDD. Improved treatment outcomes and early identification of depression during HCV treatment can be achieved using an integrated medical and mental health treatment approach.

Safety of peginterferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Combination of 'pegylated' interferons (IFNs) plus ribavirin, the standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), is frequently associated with side effects. Anticipation, recognition and proper management of these side effects are important to ensure compliance with therapy and achievement of sustained virologic response.

OBJECTIVE

To illustrate the side effect profile of pegIFN-alpha in the treatment of CHC.

METHODS

Studies and abstracts were identified through a computerized, English language literature search. Key search terms included peginterferon and CHC. Information available only in abstract form was retrieved from national and international hepatology associations.

RESULTS

Most adverse events occurring with combination therapy can be anticipated and managed appropriately; therefore, premature discontinuation of therapy owing to side effects is not required in most patients.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms of hepatitis C

More than 4 million (2%) people in the United States have been infected with the hepatitis C virus, of whom 2.7 million are chronically infected. The current treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients is Interferon and ribavirin combination therapy, which is associated with numerous neuropsychiatric side effects. The most common are fatigue, depression, cognitive dysfunction, and anxiety. Early identification and treatment of these symptoms may not only improve the patient's mental health, but also may increase the patient's functional ability and overall quality of life. Psychiatric nurses can play a pivotal role in the successful management of the neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Affective disorders in patients with HIV infection: impact of antiretroviral therapy

At the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, affective disorders (such as depressed mood) were seen in a considerable number of HIV-1-infected individuals. These disorders were a result of the poor physical condition of the patients, brain involvement by the virus (e.g. encephalopathy) or a reaction to disadvantageous living conditions (losing friends, jobs, etc.). In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), mental illness related to physical weakness is declining, as is the incidence of HIV-1-associated encephalopathy. However, depressed mood and fatigue caused by efavirenz (a standard component of HAART) is becoming increasingly important, particularly in individuals who are infected long-term with HIV-1. Whatever the cause of affective disorders, their presence has been shown to negatively influence adherence to HAART and HIV-1 disease progression. Specialist knowledge of HIV-1 infection, and HAART and its psychiatric complications (particularly in subgroups of patients such as drug abusers and older people), is needed to care adequately for patients. Furthermore, prospective studies are needed to more fully differentiate between the various aetiologies of affective disorders seen in individuals living with HIV/AIDS and to determine their incidence and prevalence. Such information is important to ensure that affective disorders are recognised and adequately treated, which will in turn improve the efficacy of HAART.

Major depressive episode with psychotic features induced by pegylated interferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin treatment

Recent evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of pegylated interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in treating hepatitis C virus infection. Neuropsychiatric complications commonly occur during the course of IFN treatment, with depressive symptoms usually appearing within the first 12 weeks. Few cases of the pegylated interferon-alpha-induced psychosis and depression have been reported compared to standard interferon-alpha therapy. We report the first case of a major depressive episode with psychotic features induced by pegylated IFN-alpha-2b and ribavirin in the last 2 weeks of therapy.