Psychiatric Co Morbidity in Patients of Hepatitis B Virus

Objective: To examine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and psychological distress among male and female HBV patients. Design: This was a cross sectional comparative study. Materials Methods: The sample of the study consisted of (N= 100) Hepatitis B patients, male (n=50) and female (n=50), ranging in age from 17 year to 50 year. The sample was taken from Liver Centre District Hospital Faisalabad. Psychological distress was measured by (MHI 38). Data was analyzed by using SPSS and percentages were calculated. Results: The level of depression, anxiety loss of behavioral / emotional control was found higher in HBV patients. Results indicated the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe psychological distress in HBV male patients were 32%, 68 %, 0% and in HBV female patients were 22%, 76%, 2%. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe depression in HBV male patients were 32%, 64%, 4% and in HBV female patients were 18%, 76%,6%. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe loss of behavioural/emotional control in HBV male patients were10%, 84%, 4% and in HBV female patients were 6%, 78%, 16%. In female hepatitis patient’s psychological distress were higher comparatively to male hepatitis patients. Conclusion: In the present study it is concluded that there is high prevalence of depression and anxiety in hepatitis B patients (HBV patients) in Pakistan compared to other countries. Female hepatitis patients have higher level of psychological distress comparatively to male hepatitis patients.