Sleep disorders associated with interferon in chronic viral hepatitis C

Abstract

Chronic infection with hepatitis C is a public health problem in Morocco and in the world. The objective of the work screens for sleep problems during the disease and its management to better guide the monitoring and psychiatric interventions.

Methodology

Sixty-eight patients followed for hepatitis C were recruited. The treatment was based on the combination of pegylated IFNa or standard IFNa and ribavirin for 6 to 12 months. The evaluation was done by a questionnaire containing demographic information, medical and psychiatric history, substance use. Sleep assessment was made by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and measuring the quality of life by SF36. The assessment before starting treatment and at 1 month and 4 months. Statistical analysis by SPSS 21 software read.

Results

Fifty-six patients were able to complete the monitoring. 36 women to 20 men. The average age is 59.1years old (standard deviation 9.88). A quarter of patients still gainfully employed. 64.3% of participants live in couple. Seventy-six point eight percent of patients live in the city. Seven percen consume tobacco and single patient use cannabis occasionally. Sleep disorders increased from 37.5% before the start of the treatment to 55.4% after its start. While 44.5% have kept a sleep disturbed to 4 months. At first, the quality of life had more impaired scores on psychological than physical scores. The overall score declined significantly way after initiation of treatment (0.04). A larger decline on the psychological component (0.000) while the physical score did not significantly decrease.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.