Long-term psychological and functional outcomes after hepatitis C eradication with direct-acting antivirals: an 80-month follow-up study
By
Salvatore Cipolla
Pierluigi Catapano
Maria Chiara Della Corte
Daniele De Francesco
Antonio Volpicelli
Iolanda Cafarella
Filomena Boccia
Lorenzo Bertolino
Emanuele Durante-Mangoni
Rosa Zampino
Mario Luciano
May 25, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Eighty-Month Follow-Up on Psychological and Functional Outcomes Following Hepatitis C Treatment with Direct-Acting Antivirals
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection Key Mechanisms Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) improve virological cure rates and reduce adverse events. Target Population Patients with chronic HCV infection, with and without psychiatric history. Care Setting Integrated medical–psychological follow-up in HCV management.
Key Highlights
38.7% of original cohort reassessed at 80 months post-DAA initiation. Significant improvement in depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with psychiatric history. Stable psychological profiles in patients without psychiatric history. Decline in physical quality of life observed in both groups. Avoidant coping and psychiatric history negatively predict long-term anxiety change. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Evaluate psychopathological symptoms using standardized scales (HAM-D, HAM-A, SCL-90-R). Assess coping strategies and quality of life (SF-36). Management
Integrate psychiatric evaluation and follow-up in HCV treatment plans. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regularly assess psychological well-being and quality of life post-treatment. Risks
Consider the impact of psychiatric history on treatment outcomes and coping strategies. Patient & Prescribing Data
Patients with chronic HCV infection, both with and without prior psychiatric conditions.
DAAs are associated with sustained long-term psychiatric safety and improvements in mood.
Clinical Best Practices
Implement integrated care approaches for HCV patients to address both medical and psychological needs. Monitor for changes in quality of life and psychiatric symptoms over time. Related Resources & Content
