Patients with hepatitis C viral may perceive barriers to accessing speciality care for hepatitis C, and these barriers may be related to depressive symptoms.
Dr Evon and colleagues from North Carolina, USA evaluated the relationship between barriers to care, demographics, and depressive symptoms.
The research team conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 126 patients referred for hepatitis C at 2 speciality hepatitis C clinics.
Barriers to care, depressive symptoms and sociodemographics were measured using standardized instruments.
A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect clinical outcome data.
Depressive symptoms were reported in 26%.
Depression is associated with perceived barriers to care
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Common barriers included lack of personal financial resources, lack of hepatitis C knowledge in the community, lack of professionals competent in hepatitis C care, stigmatization of hepatitis C, and long distances to clinics offering care.
After controlling for sociodemographics, depression accounted for an additional 7% to 18% of variability in all barriers.
The team found that lower depression, marital and employment status were associated with subsequent receipt of hepatitis C treatment in 38% of patients, but perceived barriers were not.
Dr Evon's team concluded, "Depression is independently associated with perceived barriers to care."
"Higher depressive scores, but not perceived barriers, were associated with nontreatment."
"Healthcare providers who diagnose hepatitis C need to be cognizant of numerous perceived barriers to accessing hepatitis C care, and the impact that depression may have on these perceptions and receipt of treatment."
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010: 32(9): 1163-7319 October 2010
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