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Effect of interferon-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C on health-related quality of life.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hunt, CM; Dominitz, JA; Bute, BP; Waters, B; Blasi, U; Williams, DM
Published in: Dig Dis Sci
December 1997

Studies of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy for chronic hepatitis C have focused on viral clearance; however, few have evaluated patient's health-related quality of life during therapy. This study evaluates health-related quality of life and the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C before, during, and following IFN-alpha therapy. Patients undergoing IFN-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C were asked to complete health status measures as well as anxiety and depression inventories before, during, and following IFN-alpha therapy. These measures were compared to the results of healthy adults in the general US population. Thirty-eight of forty-eight eligible patients (79%) with chronic hepatitis C completed the questionnaires. Respondents demonstrated a significant increase in depression during the sixth month of interferon therapy in comparison to pretreatment results. Anxiety scores improved significantly after one month of IFN-alpha in comparison to pretreatment results. Scores on the health status measures did not vary with IFN-alpha therapy. Patient responses were analyzed with respect to biochemical response (normalized transaminases) to IFN-alpha. IFN-alpha responders, who were aware of their transaminase results, exhibited lower scores on anxiety subscales during and after therapy (P = 0.02-0.04). Scores on the health status subscale, role emotional, improved in IFN-alpha responders compared to nonresponders during the sixth month of therapy (P = 0.02). Response to IFN-alpha therapy was not associated with any other differences on subscale analysis. Patients with chronic hepatitis C exhibited health perceptions similar to the general US population, and these were unchanged during IFN-alpha therapy. However, the incidence of depression significantly increased during the sixth month of IFN-alpha therapy. IFN-alpha responders exhibited fewer emotional problems as well as a lower incidence of anxiety during and following therapy.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Dig Dis Sci

DOI

ISSN

0163-2116

Publication Date

December 1997

Volume

42

Issue

12

Start / End Page

2482 / 2486

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Test Anxiety Scale
  • Quality of Life
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic
  • Health Status
  • Gastroenterology & Hepatology
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
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Hunt, C. M., Dominitz, J. A., Bute, B. P., Waters, B., Blasi, U., & Williams, D. M. (1997). Effect of interferon-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C on health-related quality of life. Dig Dis Sci, 42(12), 2482–2486. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1018852309885
Hunt, C. M., J. A. Dominitz, B. P. Bute, B. Waters, U. Blasi, and D. M. Williams. “Effect of interferon-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C on health-related quality of life.Dig Dis Sci 42, no. 12 (December 1997): 2482–86. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1018852309885.
Hunt CM, Dominitz JA, Bute BP, Waters B, Blasi U, Williams DM. Effect of interferon-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C on health-related quality of life. Dig Dis Sci. 1997 Dec;42(12):2482–6.
Hunt, C. M., et al. “Effect of interferon-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C on health-related quality of life.Dig Dis Sci, vol. 42, no. 12, Dec. 1997, pp. 2482–86. Pubmed, doi:10.1023/a:1018852309885.
Hunt CM, Dominitz JA, Bute BP, Waters B, Blasi U, Williams DM. Effect of interferon-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C on health-related quality of life. Dig Dis Sci. 1997 Dec;42(12):2482–2486.
Journal cover image

Published In

Dig Dis Sci

DOI

ISSN

0163-2116

Publication Date

December 1997

Volume

42

Issue

12

Start / End Page

2482 / 2486

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Test Anxiety Scale
  • Quality of Life
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic
  • Health Status
  • Gastroenterology & Hepatology
  • Female