Improved cognitive function as a consequence of hepatitis C virus treatment.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of treatment-related clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on cognitive function.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 19 HCV-monoinfected and 15 HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals undergoing pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin therapy between April 2003 and August 2005. Neuropsychological, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) effects were assessed using computer-based battery, Trail Making Tests, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Short Form-36 health survey.

Results: Pretreatment cognitive function, mood status, and HRQOL were similar between the HCV patient groups. Sustained virological response (SVR) rates were similar between HCV-monoinfected (68%) and HIV/HCV-coinfected (73%) groups. SVR was associated with significant improvements in some measures of cognitive function, independent of HRQOL improvement.

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support cognitive effects of HCV independent of mood status and HRQOL profiles.