The efficacy and safety of treating hepatitis C in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

Mustafa, M. Z. et al. (2014) The efficacy and safety of treating hepatitis C in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 21(7), e48-e51. (doi: 10.1111/jvh.12234) (PMID:24533990)

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Abstract

Treating chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon alpha may induce or exacerbate psychiatric illness including depression, mania and aggressive behaviour. There is limited data regarding treatment in the context of chronic schizophrenia. We sought to establish the safety and efficacy of treating patients with schizophrenia. Patient and treatment data, prospectively collected on the Scottish hepatitis C database, were analysed according to the presence or absence of a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Time from referral to treatment, and the proportion of patients commencing treatment in each group, was calculated. Outcomes including sustained viral response rates, reasons for treatment termination and adverse events were compared. Of 5497 patients, 64 (1.2%) had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia (PWS) were as likely to receive treatment as those without [28/61(46%) vs 1639/4415 (37%) P = 0.19]. Sustained viral response (SVR) rates were higher in PWS [21/25 (84%) vs 788/1453 (54%) P < 0.01]. SVR rates by genotype were similar [4/8 (50%) vs 239/684 (35%) Genotype 1 (P = 0.56), 17/17 (100%) vs 599/742 (81%) non-Genotype 1 (P = 0.09)]. Adverse events leading to cessation of treatment were comparable [2/25(8%) vs 189/1453 (13%) P: 0.66]. Patients with schizophrenia are good candidates for hepatitis C treatment, with equivalent SVR and treatment discontinuation rates to patients without schizophrenia.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gillespie, Dr Ruth and Mills, Professor Peter and Stanley, Dr Adrian and Forrest, Dr Ewan and Priest, Dr Matthew and Morris, Dr John
Authors: Mustafa, M. Z., Schofield, J., Mills, P.R., Priest, M., Fox, R., Datta, S., Morris, J., Forrest, E.H., Gillespie, R., Stanley, A.J., and Barclay, S.T.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Journal of Viral Hepatitis
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1352-0504
ISSN (Online):1365-2893

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