BackgroundHepatitis C virus infection and interferon treatment are often associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms and poor health-related quality of life.To evaluate the Silybin-vitamin E-phospholipids complex effect on work ability and whether health related factors (anxiety and depression) were associated with work ability in subjects with chronic hepatitis C treated with Pegylated-Interferon-α2b (Peg–IFN) and Ribavirin (RBV).MethodsThirty-one patients (Group A) with chronic hepatitis and other 31 subjects in Group B were recruited in a randomized, prospective, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial. Group A received 1.5 mg/kg per week of Peg–IFN plus RBV and placebo, while Group B received the same dosage of Peg–IFN plus RBV plus association of Silybin 94 mg + vitamin E 30 mg + phospholipids 194 mg in pills for 12 months. All subjects underwent to laboratory exams and questionnaires to evaluate depression (Beck Depression Inventory - BDI), anxiety (State-trait anxiety inventory - STAI) and work ability (Work ability Index - WAI).ResultsThe comparison between group A and group B showed significant differences after 6 months in ALT (P < 0.001), and viremia (P < 0.05), after 12 months in ALT (P < 0.001), and AST (P < 0.001), at follow up in AST (P < 0.05), and ALT (P < 0.001). Significant difference were observed after 1 month in WAI (p < 0.001) and BDI (P < 0.05), after 6 months in WAI (P < 0.05) and STAI (P < 0.05), after 12 months and at follow up in WAI, STAI and BDI (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe supplementation with Silybin-vitamin E -phospholipids complex increased work ability and reduced depression and anxiety in patients treated with Peg–IFN and RBV.Trial registration NCT01957319, First received: September 25, 2013. Last updated: September 30, 2013 (retrospectively registered).

Background: The employment status of workers with chronic hepatitis C has important implications for society and labor market, for organizations and for the individuals and their economic, social and psychological status. To evaluate the effects to Peg-IFN-α and RBV treatment on work ability (WAI) and perceived on work stress (PWS). One hundred forty-four patients consecutive with chronic hepatitis C had been enrolled and treated with Pegylated-Interferon-α 2b at dose 1.5 mg/kg per week plus daily oral Ribavirin for 12 months. The work ability (WA) and perceived work stress (PWS) were evaluated. The baseline value of PWS and WAI were compared to the values obtained at end of months 1, 3, 6, 12 and at follow up. At the end of the study we have also compared the following groups: pretreatment, end treatment response (ETR), sustained response, no response, and relapse.