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Psychiatric Disorders and Functioning in Hepatitis B Virus Carriers

Received Dec. 5, 2003; revision received April 6, 2004; accepted May 26, 2004. From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine; and the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Atesci, Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Department, Pamukkale University, Doktorlar Cad. Denizli, Turkey 20100; fatesci{at}yahoo.com (e-mail).

The authors compared asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers and healthy subjects in terms of their psychological state. Participants (43 asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers and 43 healthy comparison subjects) completed self-report questionnaires. Psychiatric disorders and psychosocial functioning were evaluated with structured clinical interviews and the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. Hepatitis B virus carriers were more likely to have psychiatric disorders than comparison subjects (30.2% vs. 11.6%). Also, carriers had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores and lower Global Assessment of Functioning scores than did comparison subjects. Worries about contamination and illnesses related to hepatitis B infection were associated with the presence of psychiatric disorder. The results suggest that asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers need emotional support.

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