Impulsiveness in chronic hepatitis C patients

Objective

The objective was to investigate impulsiveness among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and its association with sociodemographic, clinical and psychopathological factors.

Method

Ninety-one CHC individuals were enrolled in a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university-based outpatient’s service for infectious diseases. They were assessed using the Barrat Impulsiveness Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Structured psychiatric interview was performed according to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Multivariate analysis was performed according to linear stepwise forward regression.

Results

The total score of impulsiveness according to BIS in studied population was 64.6±9.8. The scores for the nonplanning, cognitive–attentional and motor domains were 23.8±5, 19.4±2.9 and 21.4±5, respectively. Impulsiveness was associated with lower educational level, current interferon-α (IFN) use, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, alcohol use disorder, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, specific phobia, bipolar spectrum disorders and anxiety symptoms. During IFN treatment, impulsiveness was also associated with suicide risk.

Conclusion

Impulsiveness was frequent in CHC patients and was associated with several psychopathological alterations. Impulsiveness management should be considered when attending CHC patients.