The Frequency of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Hepatitis C at a Public Sector Liver Centre in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Co-morbid anxiety and depression
are associated with hepatitis C. Comorbid 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.
Key Words: Anxiety, Depression, Hepatitis C,
Hospital Anxiety, Depression Scale