P03-357 Hepatitis C, Insomnia and Mirtazapin

Abstract

Objectives

HepatitisC, a viral infection,is one the most important causes of the chronic liver disease.As a consequence of interferon alpha 2a treatment of chronic hepatitis C, there is a number of side effects:headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, weight loss, hair loss, irritability, insomnia and other.

Aim

The aim of this study was to establish the frequency and the level of insomnia in patients with chronic hepatitis Cthat were treated with Interferon and Ribavirin for 24 weeks. We also evaluated the efficacy of Mirtazapin in the treatment of insomnia,in these patients.

Method

30 patients in all, with serologically and patohistologically established diagnosis of hepatitis C, were included in this study. These patients were treated with 180mg of Pegasus interferon injected subcutaneously, once a week. They also received 800mg of Ribavirin perorally a day. This treatment lasted 24weeks.

PITTSBURGH SLEEP QUALITY INDEX-PSQI was used as a measuring instrument for the evaluation of the level of insomnia.All the patients tested were at the beginning of the Interferon treatment,and after 3,5,and 7 months of treatment.Patients with diagnosed severe sleeping disorders were given small doses of Mirtazapin-15 mg every evening for 6 weeks.

Results

On the initial rounds,two patients had a PSQI score higher than 5.After a three month long Interferon treatment,five patients had a PSQI score higher than 5. After 7 months from the beginning of interferon treatment, ten patients had a PSQI score higher than 5, which indicates a significant sleeping disorder.

Conclusion

The administration of small doses of Mirtazapin/15 mg every evening shows useful effects in reduction of sleeping disorders caused by the Pegasus interferon treatment in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C.