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Cognitive impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis treated with interferon alpha (IFNα): results from a prospective study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

Klaus Lieb ,
Marc A. Engelbrecht ,
Oliver Gut ,
Bernd L. Fiebich ,
Joachim Bauer ,
Gesa Janssen  and
Martin Schaefer
Klaus Lieb
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg Medical School, Hauptstr. 5, 79104Freiburg, Germany
Marc A. Engelbrecht
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg Medical School, Hauptstr. 5, 79104Freiburg, Germany
Oliver Gut
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg Medical School, Hauptstr. 5, 79104Freiburg, Germany
Bernd L. Fiebich
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg Medical School, Hauptstr. 5, 79104Freiburg, Germany
Joachim Bauer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosomatics, University of Freiburg Medical School, Hauptstr. 8, 79104Freiburg, Germany
Gesa Janssen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Schumannstr. 20/21, 10117Berlin, Germany
Martin Schaefer*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Schumannstr. 20/21, 10117Berlin, Germany
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 30 450 517011; fax: +49 30 450 517922. E-mail address: martin.schaefer@charite.de
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Abstract

Background.

Treatment with low-dose interferon alpha (IFN-α) is often associated with neuropsychiatric side effects. In addition to depression and anxiety, IFN-α associated cognitive impairment significantly affects patient’s mental health and quality of life.

Aims of the study.

To measure possible effects of low-dose IFN-α on cognitive functioning and its relationship to the development of depression and anxiety.

Method.

We prospectively followed 38 patients with a chronic hepatitis B or C by neuropsychological tests and psychiatric self-rating scales during 12 weeks of low-dose treatment with IFN-α.

Results.

Before IFN-α treatment, neuropsychological tests as well as self-ratings in the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Self-Report Symptom Inventory 90 Items-Revised (SCL-90-R) were within the normal range. Following 12 weeks of treatment with IFN-α resulted in a slight, but significant increase in depression scores. Neuropsychological assessment after 12 weeks of IFN-α treatment showed a significant decrease of the immediate recall in the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) and a significant reduction of words recited in the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA). Cognitive impairment did not significantly correlate with depressive symptoms or anxiety.

Conclusion.

Our results indicate that even low-dose IFN-α induces cognitive impairment independent from depressive symptoms, which might be related to functional disturbances in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. We suggest close monitoring of cognitive function during IFN-α treatment of chronic hepatitis.

Keywords

InterferonCytokineCognitionDepressionAnxiety
Type
Original articles
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , April 2006 , pp. 204 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2006

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