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Psychosocial Issues in Hepatitis C: A Qualitative Analysis

Received July 18, 2006; revised February 28, 2007; accepted March 16, 2007. From the Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL; New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA; the Dept. of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT; the Dept. of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and the Hepatitis C Resource Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT. Send correspondence to E. Amy Janke, Ph.D., Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care (151H), Hines VA Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, Hines, IL 60141. e-mail: Elizabeth.Janke{at}va.gov
© 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

BACKGROUND: Despite demonstrated prevalence of psychosocial problems among hepatitis C (HCV) patients, little is known about how these problems develop, why they are sustained, and how clinical providers can effectively intervene. OBJECTIVE: The authors used a qualitative approach to investigate the nature of psychosocial issues in HCV. METHOD: Focus groups were conducted with HCV patients. RESULTS: Participants discussed significant feelings of anger, depression, and stigma associated with the diagnosis and noted that these feelings/experiences isolated them from potential sources of social support. CONCLUSION: Results have important implications for clinical providers and suggest pathways by which HCV-related psychosocial factors may interact with and affect quality of life.

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