Citation

Janssen HL, Brouwer JT, Van der Mast RC, Schalm SW. J. Hepatol. 1994; 21(2): 241-243.

Affiliation

Department of Internal Medicine II (Section Hepatology), University Hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7989716

Abstract

We report on two attempted suicides and one successful suicide during or shortly after alfa-interferon therapy for chronic viral hepatitis. While on therapy, all three patients developed a psychiatric disorder leading to their suicidal behavior. In a survey of 15 European hospitals, three cases of attempted and two of successful suicide during alfa-interferon therapy for chronic viral hepatitis, were additionally reported. None of the patients had a psychiatric history. Alfa-interferon is known to lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms, and our observations strongly suggest that these mental disorders could lead to suicidal behavior. Therefore it is important that physicians, patients and their families are informed about the potential risk of the emotional and psychiatric disturbances that can occur during alfa-interferon therapy.

Language: en