Psychic stress in C Hepatitis Virus Infection

Camelia Patrascu Boanca, Mihaela Minulescu, George Gherlan and Petre Iacob Calistru

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this review is to examine if the psychic stress can operate as a co-factor in the pathogenesis of the infection with C virus hepatitis. C virus hepatitis agents represent a common environmental stressor and the human body reaction to the stressor can be regarded as a stress too. Patients have experienced and reported various emotional reactions after being diagnosed with chronic HCV. The intensity of emotional reaction varies from one patient to another, and has been differently experienced and reported.
The vast majority of patients experience a decreased health related quality of life (HRQOL). The most common psychological reactions are fatigue, depression, fear, anxiety, anger, negative self esteem, stigma and
sadness.
Depression appears to be present in those with HCV infection in a higher percentage than it is in the general population.
On many instances, the emotional reactions appear to be influenced by the level of education, geographical area, cultural background, awareness of the disease, gender, age, local environment and culture, wealth,
time of diagnose and treatment. Various studies and researches lead us to believe that an improvement in depressive symptoms lead to an improvement in fatigue and well being.

Keywords: depression in HCV patients, quality of life in HCV patients, HCV patients social status

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