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.