The Frequency of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Hepatitis C at a Public Sector Liver Centre in Pakistan
Background: Co-morbid anxiety and depression are associated with hepatitis C. Co- morbid depression is associated with increased medical symptom burden, poor quality of life and poor adherence to self-care regimens. However, in Pakistan, the data assessing the psychiatric aspect of Hepatitis C is l...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Rawalpindi Medical University
2019-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.journalrmc.com/index.php/JRMC/article/view/1286 |
| Summary: | Background: Co-morbid anxiety and depression are associated with hepatitis C. Co- morbid depression is associated with increased medical symptom burden, poor quality of life and poor adherence to self-care regimens. However, in Pakistan, the data assessing the psychiatric aspect of Hepatitis C is limited.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of anxiety and depression in patients with Hepatitis C at a public sector liver centre in Pakistan.
Methods: Participants who were positive for hepatitis C were selected by non-probability convenience sampling. Informed consent was taken verbally and a questionnaire-based interview was implied. The questionnaire scored anxiety and depression on a verified Urdu translated version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data was analysed with SPSS v. 22.
Results: Out of 146 participants 40% were males and 60% were females with an average age of 47.2 years. Anxiety and depression were present in 47.9% and 41.8% patients of hepatitis C respectively. There was a significant association of drug use with anxiety (p=0.01) and depression (p=0.03). Urban residency was significantly associated with anxiety (p=0.04). On comparing means it was found that women had a higher average anxiety score compared to the males (10.2 ± 4.6 vs. 9.5 ± 4.6) while males had a higher average depression score compared with females (9.8 ± 4.3 vs. 9.3 ± 4.5). However, the correlation between gender and HADS scores was not significant.
Conclusion: There is a high frequency of anxiety and depression among hepatitis C patients thus regular psychiatric screening, referral, treatment and follow-up is recommended.
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| ISSN: | 1683-3562 1683-3570 |