The Effect of Pegylated Interferon-α2b and Ribavirin on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

BackgroundPatients with chronic psychiatric diagnoses have a prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) approximately 11 times higher than the general American population. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is particularly common among HCV patients.ObjectiveThe authors describe the effect of treatment with pegylated-interferon-α2b (IFN) and ribavirin for patients with HCV on their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.MethodSixteen patients with HCV and combat-related PTSD were followed for 24 weeks and assessed with self-report measures of PTSD, hostility, and depression.ResultsDepression and Resentment scores significantly increased in five patients treated with IFN and ribavirin, but no significant differences were found in PTSD scores when compared with 11 control patients.ConclusionThe results suggest that patients with PTSD and HCV can be safely treated with anti-viral therapies when they are given appropriate psychiatric care.