Journal
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
Volume 77, Issue 1, Pages 90-100Publisher
MOSBY, INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.09.007
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
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.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available