Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection involves changes not only from the point of view of physical health, but also emotional, and social that have a significant impact on the quality of life of these patients. According to the literature review, it seems that there is an important association between psychosocial factors, in particular on a cognitive level and disease progression. The aim of this mini-review is to summarize recent literature looking at the associations between psychosocial and neurocognitive factors and HCV.Methods: PubMed/Medline was systematically searched for psychosocial and neurocognitive factors associated with hepatitis C, treatment adherence, and patient wellbeing.Results: Patients present with a range of extrahepatic symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, depression, and neurocognitive dysfunction. HCV’s impact on quality of life and wellbeing has serious clinical and social implications.Conclusion: Hepatitis C and its management continue to have a profound impact on health and psychologic wellbeing. Considering the serious extrahepatic implications for individuals, it is imperative that healthcare professionals pay close attention to psychosocial and neurocognitive factors. The focus on combined clinical approaches could enhance understanding about the health and social impacts of hepatitis C along the life course.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 3% of the world population (170 million people) is infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) (WHO, 1999)
The identification of neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms is important during and before treatment; they still have little recognition or impact in clinical evaluation. These symptoms are eventually associated to direct HCV neurotoxicity (Adinolfi et al, 2015), negatively affecting the individual’s perceived Quality of Life (QoL), daily functioning, work, and productivity. These factors can lead to reduced involvement in medical care and life projects as well as increased morbidity and mortality, decreasing overall wellbeing, QoL, as well as treatment adherence (Younossi et al, 2007; Schaefer et al, 2012; Adinolfi et al, 2015; Monaco et al, 2015; Younossi and Henry, 2015; Chasser et al, 2017)
The aim of this article is to determine what is currently known about neurocognitive and psychosocial factors associated with HCV as well as to try to value disease adjustment and the implications for health and wellbeing. The aim of this mini-review is to summarize the more recent literature investigating the relationship between psychosocial and neurocognitive factors associated with HCV and their impact on patient wellbeing
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 3% of the world population (170 million people) is infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) (WHO, 1999). The identification of neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms is important during and before treatment; they still have little recognition or impact in clinical evaluation These symptoms (depression, cognitive disorders) are eventually associated to direct HCV neurotoxicity (Adinolfi et al, 2015), negatively affecting the individual’s perceived Quality of Life (QoL), daily functioning, work, and productivity. These factors can lead to reduced involvement in medical care and life projects as well as increased morbidity and mortality, decreasing overall wellbeing, QoL, as well as treatment adherence (Younossi et al, 2007; Schaefer et al, 2012; Adinolfi et al, 2015; Monaco et al, 2015; Younossi and Henry, 2015; Chasser et al, 2017).
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