Prevalence and severity of depression in chronic viral hepatitis in Iran

AIM The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and severity of depression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, and healthy participants. METHODS Two hundred and fifty-three persons participated in this cross-sectional study between 2011 and 2012 in Imam Khomeini Hospital. The prevalence and severity of depression were assessed using the Hamilton Scale. RESULTS There was significantly higher prevalence of depression in CHC patients (35.9%) than in healthy participants (11.3%) and CHB patients (19.8%) (both P < 0.01). However, CHB and CHC patients did not differ significantly in their depression prevalence after excluding inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers (29.3% vs. 35.9%; P > 0.05). Inactive HBsAg carriers differed significantly from CHB patients-excluding inactive HBsAg carriers-in depression prevalence (10.0% vs. 29.3%; P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in depression severity between all groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Depression screening in chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C patients may be beneficial in disease management.