Role of baseline depressive symptoms in the development of depressive episode in patients receiving antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C infection

Depressive symptoms in patients with pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin induced MDE are influenced by the symptoms of depression prior to starting of pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin combination. A short screening questionnaire may be constructed which will include the symptoms which predict the development of depression to screen patients at high risk for the development of depression.