Understanding clinical risk decision making regarding development of depression during interferon-alpha treatment for hepatitis-C: A qualitative interview study
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 170 million worldwide. Currently, around 30%
of patients receiving interferon-alpha (IFN-α) treatment for HCV experience clinically
significant depression. Effective and timely detection of depression is crucial to ensuring
appropriate treatment and support. However, little is known about how clinical nurse
specialists identify patients at risk of developing interferon-alpha-induced depression, and
monitor those receiving antiviral treatment for the occurrence of depression.