| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Abstract | | Title: Persisting Neurocognitive Effects of INF/RBV. | | Authors: Cattie J, Letendre S, Barakat F, Woods S, Cherner M, Umlauf A, Franklin D, Perry W, Heaton R, Hassanein T, and Grant I | | Year: 2012 | | Publication: Journal of Viral Hepatitis | | Volume: 19 Issue: Suppl 3 Pages: 1 | | Abstract:HCV infection and its treatment, particularly with interferon (INF) based regimens have been associated with neuropsychiatric complications. Specifically, short-term changes in mood and cognition have been reported after initiation of INF. However, the long-term outcomes of these neuropsychiatric complications are poorly understood.
Objective: To determine the time course and predictors of neuropsychiatric symptoms during and 6 months after completion of a 6-12 month course of pegylated interferon/ribavirin (RBV) treatment.
Method: We examined 40 HCV infected patients with medical, psychiatric, and neurocognitive assessments prior to and at 10 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after treatment initiation with INF/RBV. We examined the relationship between neuropsychiatric symptoms and indicators of liver disease, viral genotype, and viral clearance.
Results: Whereas 27.5% had at least mild neurocognitive impairment prior to treatment initiation, 47.5% became impaired at 10 weeks, and 42.8% remained impaired after 18 months (i.e., at least 6 months after treatment completion). The magnitude of decline between baseline and 10-week follow-up predicted persistence of neurocognitive impairment at 18 months. Predictors of initial neurocognitive decline were HCV genotype 1 and baseline depression measures.
Conclusions: INF/RBV treatment may increase likelihood of neurocognitive impairment and this may persist for 18 months after treatment initiation. Longer-term follow-up is needed to determine if these complications ultimately resolve. |
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