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Neurocognitive Changes in Patients with Hepatitis C Receiving Interferon alfa‐2b and Ribavirin
Author(s) -
Kraus Michael R.,
Schäfer Arne,
Wißmann Saskia,
Reimer Peter,
Scheurlen Michael
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.09.007
Subject(s) - medicine , ribavirin , neurocognitive , depression (economics) , pegylated interferon , gastroenterology , hepatitis c , concomitant , anxiety , chronic hepatitis , immunology , psychiatry , cognition , virus , economics , macroeconomics
Background During antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C, patients frequently report impairment of concentration or memory. Therefore we prospectively investigated neurocognitive performance in patients receiving interferon alfa and ribavirin. Methods Repeated computer‐based testing of neurocognitive function was performed in 70 patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving interferon alfa‐2b (pegylated or conventional) and ribavirin. In addition, depression scores were obtained (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Results Reaction times were significantly increased during treatment (mean reaction time increase after 3 months of therapy: alertness, 46.76 ms [95% confidence interval (CI)], 26.86–66.66 ms), P < .001; divided attention, 47.04 ms [95% CI, 26.44–67.64 ms], P < .001; vigilance, 60.78 ms [95% CI, 29.24–92.32 ms], P < .001; and working memory, 38.53 ms [95% CI, 1.22–75.83], P = .34). Accuracy measures (number of false reactions) were affected for the working‐memory task exclusively. Cognitive performance returned to pretreatment values after the end of therapy. Cognitive impairment was not significantly correlated with the degree of concomitant depression (0.04 < r [absolute value] < 0.10, P > .390). Conclusions Interferon‐based combination therapy of chronic hepatitis C causes significant but reversible impairment of neurocognitive performance. Consequences for the requirements of an active life in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving antiviral therapy need to be assessed. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77 , 90–100; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.09.007