Korean J Med.  1998 Apr;54(4):546-551.

Neuropsychiatric Complications Associated with Interferon Alfa Therapy for Chronic Viral Hepatitis

• Kim BY
• Kook JW
• Choi YJ
• Kim KC
• Hong SP
• Park PW
• Rim KS
• Seo SY

Abstract

Alfa-interferon(IFN) has become the major therapeutic modality for chronic viral hepatitis. The spectrum of side effects is one of the main drawbacks of this treatment. Alfa-INF is known to lead to neuropsychiatric sym ptoms. Neuropsychiatric toxicity, including cognitive dys function, irritability, personality changes and emotional instability cause interpersonal problems, discontinuation of work and domestic discord. Other more serious IFN- induced signs of neurotoxicity include delirium, depres sion and seizures. The psychiatric side effects fell into three categories: an organic personality syndrome charac terized by irritability, and short temper; an organic affective syndrome marked by extreme emotional lability, depression and tearfulness; and a delirium marked by clouding of consciousness, agitation, paranoia, and suicial potential. These complications are thought to be revers ible with dose reduction or cessation of therapy. There fore it is important that physicians, patients and their families are informed about the potential risk of the emotional and psychiatric disturbances that can occur during alfa-INF therapy. We report three patients who had neuropsychiatric complications during long-term interferon alfa therapy.

Keyword

Neuropsychiatric complication; Organic personality syndrome; Organic affective syndrome; Alfa-interferon

MeSH Terms

Consciousness
Delirium
Depression
Dihydroergotamine
Hepatitis*
Humans
Interferon-alpha*
Interferons*
Paranoid Disorders
Seizures
Dihydroergotamine
Interferon-alpha
Interferons