Relation of IL28B Rs12979860 Polymorphism on Depression Symptoms in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

Abstract

AIM: The presente study we aim to evaluate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12979860 in the IL28B gene with the diagnosis of depression and its symptoms along the treament of HCV patients. Material and Methods: Is a convenience cohort where patients were follow-up by 12 weeks during the antiviral therapy. A sociodemographic questionnaire, psychiatric diagnostic interview and laboratorial data were applied at the baseline, 4th week and 12th week of treatment. A sample of buccal cells was collected from each patient in the baseline and IL28B rs12979860 (C/T) polymorphism was genotyped by real-time PCR. Results: 90 patients were evaluated in relation to IL28B rs12979860 (C/T) polymorphism. The rs12979860 polymorphism were not significantly associated with the diagnoses of major depression (p = 0.186) in the baseline, but along the treatment the T allele present a risk factor for irritability OR 3.75 [CI (1.22-11.57); p = 0.021]. Past depression is associated with the diagnosis of current depression pre treatment (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Our results suggest that patients carrying T-allele of rs12979860 have worst symptoms of depression related to those with CC genotype. These results indicate that genotypes of IL28B rs12979860 polymorphism should be better studied to be considered for further treatment.