Improved cognitive function as a consequence of hepatitis C virus treatment

HIV Med. 2007 Nov;8(8):520-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2007.00505.x.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of treatment-related clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on cognitive function.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 19 HCV-monoinfected and 15 HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals undergoing pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin therapy between April 2003 and August 2005. Neuropsychological, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) effects were assessed using computer-based battery, Trail Making Tests, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Short Form-36 health survey.

Results: Pretreatment cognitive function, mood status, and HRQOL were similar between the HCV patient groups. Sustained virological response (SVR) rates were similar between HCV-monoinfected (68%) and HIV/HCV-coinfected (73%) groups. SVR was associated with significant improvements in some measures of cognitive function, independent of HRQOL improvement.

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support cognitive effects of HCV independent of mood status and HRQOL profiles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cognition Disorders / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Cohort Studies
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / psychology*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Ribavirin