Hepatitis C in people with mental illness: how big is the problem and how do we respond?

Abstract

Screening, referral and treatment for hepatitis C in people with mental illness is worthwhile and achievable.

Anxiety and depression in Australian chronic hepatitis C outpatients: prevalence and predictors

“…24 As such, it is likely that mental health services will encounter a significant proportion of patients who have, or who are at risk of acquiring, CHC, emphasising the need for mental health professionals to be aware of the central medical and psychosocial issues regarding CHC. 25…”

“…Nonetheless, successfully tackling the problem of psychiatric co-morbidity in CHC patients will likely require a multi-disciplinary, collaborative management approach across hepatitis C and mental health services. 25…”

Prevalence of Hepatitis C in Two Inpatient Psychiatry Populations

“…It is estimated that only between 10% and 25% of infected persons experience an acute illness 5 and this, combined with the high prevalence of HCV antibodies and the serious sequelae of untreated illness, makes it a major public health concern. In addition to spreading the illness, undiagnosed individuals miss out on treatments which may reduce morbidity and mortality, 17 and may unwittingly accelerate the progression of hepatic damage through unsafe levels of alcohol consumption. 14 , 18 , 19…”

Hepatitis C in Psychiatry Inpatients: Testing Rates, Prevalence and Risk Behaviours

“…Despite the evidence suggesting high rates of HCV infection among the seriously mentally ill, few studies have investigated prevalence rates outside the US. To our knowledge, there are no Australian prevalence studies of HCV among psychiatry patients, despite increasing recognition of the importance of HCV for mental health services 4 , 6 . Two Australian studies have investigated behavioural risk factors for the infection among patients of community mental health clinics.…”