A. Scalori et al., Depression during interferon therapy for chronic viral hepatitis: early identification of patients at risk by means of a computerized test, EUR J GASTR, 12(5), 2000, pp. 505-509
Objectives At the doses used for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis,
interferon (IFN)-related side-effects are usually modest, even though in so
me cases they require the interruption of therapy. Neuropsychiatric disturb
ances that range from modest depression and irritability to forms of manic-
depressive psychosis and attempted or successful suicides are among the mos
t important side-effects. The aim of our study was to determine whether the
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a sensitive and reli
able test for the early identification of patients at risk of depression be
fore IFN therapy is commenced, and whether it could be useful for the monit
oring of these patients during treatment.
Methods We prospectively studied 67 patients with chronic active liver dise
ases, consecutively enrolled in open studies and treated with r-IFN alpha 2
. Before starting therapy and after 3 months of treatment, all patients und
erwent a clinical neurological evaluation and MMPI.
Results At baseline, the correlation between the clinical evaluation and th
e score of the depression scale of the MMPI was statistically significant (
P < 0.0001). Nine of 14 (64.3%) patients with a baseline score greater than
or equal to 60/100 showed a depressive mood after 3 months of therapy. Fiv
e of 44 patients (11.3%) with a baseline score < 60/100 showed a depression
of medium level after 3 months of treatment. This difference was highly si
gnificant (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions According to our results, the MMPI is a reliable and sensitive
test for the early identification of patients at risk of depression before
and during IFN therapy for chronic viral liver diseases. (C) 2000 Lippincot
t Williams & Wilkins.