Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among People with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection and a History of Injecting Drug Use in New South Wales, Australia

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Fortier, Emmanuel;Alavi, Maryam;Bruneau, Julie;Micallef, Michelle;Perram, Jacinta;Sockalingam, Sanjeev;Dunlop, Adrian J.;Balcomb, Annie C.;Day, Carolyn A.;Treloar, Carla;Bath, Nicky;Haber, Paul S.;Dore, Gregory J.;Grebely, Jason
Michelle Krahe
Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and associated sociodemographic factors among people living with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with a history of injecting drug use and to assess the association between symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress and HCV treatment intent, specialist assessment, or treatment uptake. Methods: The Enhancing Treatment for Hepatitis C in Opioid Substitution Settings was an observational cohort study evaluating the provision of HCV assessment and treatment among people with chronic HCV and a history of injecting drug use, recruited from 9 community health centers and opioid substitution therapy (OST) clinics (New South Wales, Australia). Symptoms were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Analyses were performed using logistic regression. Results: Among 415 participants (mean age 41 years, 71% male), 47%, 52%, and 36% demonstrated moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In adjusted analyses, depression symptoms were associated with recent injecting drug use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.49), whereas stress symptoms were associated with unemployment (aOR 2.99, 95% CI 1.09-8.15) and not living with a spouse or other relatives/friends (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.01-2.39). Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress or having a history of treated mental illness were not independently associated with HCV treatment intent, specialist assessment, or treatment uptake. Conclusions: Findings suggest a need for improved interventions and care regarding mental health among people living with chronic HCV with a history of injecting drug use, but suggest that symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress should not be immediate contraindications to HCV assessment and treatment.

Journal

Journal of Addiction Medicine

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11

ISBN/ISSN

1935-3227

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1

Pages Count

9

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Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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DOI

10.1097/ADM.0000000000000261