Predictors of poor mental and physical health in HCV

Predictors of poor mental and physical health in HCV

This month's issue of Hepatology identifies predictors of poor mental and physical health status among patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Dr Joseph Boscarino and colleagues from Pennsylvania, USA assessed the extent and risk factors for depression and poor physical health among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

The researchers surveyed HCV-infected patients seen at four large healthcare systems participating in the Chronic Hepatitis Cohort Study (CHeCS).

Survey data included demographics, depression and physical health measures, substance use history, current social support, recent stressor exposures, and, from the electronic medical record, treatment history, and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores.

There were 4,781 respondents, who had a mean age of 57 years.

The researchers found that 51% reported past injection drug use, 34% were current smokers, and 18% had abused alcohol in the previous year.

Additionally, the team noted that 47% had been previously treated for HCV, and 15% had a 12-week sustained viral response (SVR) following HCV therapy.

Overall, 30% of patients met criteria for current depression, and 25% were in poor physical health.

The researchers observed that significant predictors of depression and poor health included male gender, Black race, having education less than high school, being employed, having high life stressors, having low social support, and having high Charlson scores.

Achieving a 12-week SVR was found to be protective for depression.

Dr Boscarino's team concludes, "This large survey of U.S. HCV patients indicates the extent of adverse health behaviors and mental and physical comorbidities among these patients."
Hepatol 2015:  61(3): 802–811

19 March 2015