The neuropsychiatric aspect of the HCV infection

Abstract

HCV infection is significantly more prevalent in the population of psychiatric patients, drug addicts and people tending to undertake risky sexual behaviors than in the general population. This article presents a spectrum of psychopathological symptoms and psychological dysfunctions, an outline of current theories on the neuropathology and psychiatric aspects of HCV infection treatment. The unspecific character of the psychopathological symptoms in the HCV infection makes the process of thorough diagnostics and adequate treatment difficult, thus the specific and characteristic features have been emphasized. The aim of this review is to shed light not only on the basic information concerning CNS pathology but also on the conclusions emerging from the studies of different authors, of various methodology, in diverse study groups and also to investigate current topics of research. The results of neuroimaging studies have been presented as well. Attention has also been dedicated separately to specific issues, like psychiatric aspects of co-infection with HCV and HIV viruses, the chronic fatigue in the course of HCV infection, the influence of substance use disorders and difficulties encountered during treatment with interferon. Undiagnosed psychiatric disorders, not only inevitably decrease the already rather low quality of life but also cause non-adherence with recommendations and medications regimes, contributing to a worse treatment outcome. Finally, the above disorders, when left untreated, result in higher rates of risk-taking behaviors among the infected, thus imposing a danger not only to patients themselves but also to the healthy population.