| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Manuscript | | Title: Implications of hepatitis C virus infection for behavioral symptoms and activities of daily living. | | Authors: Posada C, Moore DJ, Woods SP, Vigil O, Ake C, Perry W, Hassanein TI, Letendre SL, Grant I, and the HNRC Group | | Year: 2010 | | Publication: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology | | Volume: 32 Issue: 6 Pages: 637-644 | | Abstract:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is neurovirulent and has been shown to be associated with neuropsychological (NP)
deficits in a subset of infected individuals. Despite these previous findings, little work has been done to examine
neurobehavioral symptoms associated with HCV infection. We examined 34 HCV seropositive (HCV+) individuals
and 35 healthy comparison participants (HCV–) with the self-rating form of the Frontal Systems Behavior
Scale (FrSBe). Results showed that at the group level, only the FrSBe apathy subscale mean was clinically
elevated (T score >65) among HCV+ persons; executive dysfunction, disinhibition, and total subscale means were
not clinically elevated. At the individual level, a significantly higher proportion of HCV+ individuals than of
HCV– individuals reported clinically elevated FrSBe T scores . Moreover, HCV+ individuals were nearly 3 times
as likely to report clinically elevated FrSBe T scores of apathy, executive dysfunction, and disinhibition as
compared to HCV– participants. A multiple regression that included substance use disorders, neuropsychological
impairment, and age indicated that HCV status was an independent predictor of self-reported FrSBe total
T scores. Across all participants, small, yet significant, correlations were found between elevated self-reported
FrsBe T scores and dependence in activities of daily living. These results show that a subset of HCV-infected individuals
report clinically elevated behavioral symptoms. Clinical implications for the assessment and management
of elevated behavioral symptoms in HCV are discussed. |
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