TITLE:
Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Hepatitis B and C in a Moroccan Region: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Bineta Jho Diagne, Abid Hakima, Ibtissam El Harch, Soumaya Benmaamar, Bahra Nassiba, Bourkhime Hind, Imad Chakri, Maiouak Moncef, Nada Otmani, Mohammed El Abkari, Mohamed Amine Berraho, Samira El Fakir, Nabil Tachfouti
KEYWORDS:
Anxiety, Depression, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HADS, Morocco
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.9 No.11,
November
10,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections are a major public health problem in Morocco and around the world. Recent research has shown that patients with chronic viral hepatitis have high levels of anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and to identify associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 94 patients followed up for chronic viral hepatitis B or C at the diagnostic center of the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess depression and anxiety. Participants with a score above 7 were considered depressed or anxious. Results: The prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms was 47.9% and 41.5% respectively. Participants with hepatitis B had higher depression and anxiety scores than those with hepatitis C and the difference was not statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, participants with age ≥50 years (OR = 5.40, CI95% = (1.75 - 16.68)), low income (OR = 2.81, CI95% = (1.11 - 7.13)) and complications (OR = 3.79, CI95% = (1.31 - 10.94)) had a high risk of depression. The risk of anxiety was higher in participants with age ≥50 years (OR = 2.76, CI95% = (1.05 - 7.30)) and low monthly income (OR = 4.50, CI95% = (1.80 - 11.22)). Conclusion: The high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in particular depression and anxiety is an important issue in the management of chronic hepatitis.