Prophylactic Treatment for Depression with Interferon Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C

Up to 40% of patients who receive interferon-based therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection develop major depression. Data from previous studies support the use of antidepressants in interferon recipients with preexisting psychiatric risk factors, but little is known about the prophylactic use of such agents in patients without previous psychiatric disease. Now, researchers in Germany (with partial industry support) have conducted a multicenter, double-blind study to explore this issue.

Treatment-naive HCV-infected adults without a history of psychiatric disorders were randomized to receive escitalopram (10 mg daily) or placebo. During a 12-week preobservation period, they were monitored for depression unrelated to antiviral treatment. …