Depression Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Depression, including details on clinical depression, medication, symptoms, treatment, counselling, therapy.

Anger experiences among hepatitis C patients: relationship to depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.

Dan AA, Crone C, Wise TN, Martin LM, Ramsey L, Magee S, Sjogren R, Ong JP, Younossi ZM

Center for Liver Diseases, DepT. of Psychiatry, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Annandale, VA 22003-6800, USA.

The authors examined anger among hepatitis C (HCV) patients and its relationship to health-related quality of life (HRQL) and depression. Eighty-seven HCV patients who received pegylated interferon-alpha(2b) and ribavirin were included. Patients' mean age was 48 years; 42% were women, and 60% were white. Patients experienced moderate anger while undergoing HCV treatment. Angry feelings increased during treatment in some domains, specifically, Control Over Anger and Angry Reaction. Greater anger was associated with more depression and poorer HRQL. Findings point to the importance for physicians to screen for a wide range of neuropsychiatric side effects of interferon, including anger.

Published 4 May 2007 in Psychosomatics, 48(3): 223-9.
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