Neurobehavioral Correlates of Chronic Hepatitis C

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus is a major public health concern in the United States and worldwide, and persons with psychiatric histories are more likely to have chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Neurobehavioral consequences of CHC are common in all phases of the disease process and significantly contribute to morbidity. Antiviral treatment also is associated with neurobehavioral difficulties that can interfere with successful completion of treatment and result in fewer patients clearing the virus. Fatigue, depression, cognitive dysfunction, and anxiety are the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms reported by patients with CHC regardless of treatment status. Behavioral health care professionals can play a vital role in decreasing the personal and societal burden of CHC by being active members of the treatment team and by furthering knowledge of how to manage neurobehavioral correlates of CHC.