Anger Experiences Among Hepatitis C Patients: Relationship to Depressive Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life

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Psychosomatics 48:223-229, June 2007doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.48.3.223© 2007 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

Anger Experiences Among Hepatitis C Patients: Relationship to Depressive Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of LifeAmy A. Dan, Ph.D., Crone, M.D., N. Wise, M.D., M. , M.A., Lolita Ramsey, R.N., Scarlett Magee, M.S., Sjogren, M.D., Janus P. Ong, M.D., M.P.H., and Zobair M. Younossi, M.D., M.P.H.

Received January 19, 2006; revised March 14, 2006; accepted March 20, 2006. Center for Liver Diseases and Dept. of Psychiatry; Inova Fairfax Hospital; MidAtlantic Permanente Medical Group, Falls Church, VA. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Zobair M. Younossi, M.D., M.P.H., Center for Liver Diseases at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3289 Woodburn Rd., Suite 375, ndale, VA 22003-6800.e-mail: zobair.younossi@...

© 2007 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

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-alpha2b 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.

http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/48/3/223