Abstract
Low-dose interferon-α is a standard therapy for hepatitis C. Psychotic disorders have
been described as a rare complication of such treatments that resolve with its termination.
Here, we present a patient without significant risk factors for interferon-α-induced
serious mental disorders who developed a psychotic disorder with a cognitive impairment
achieving the level of dementia after seven months of interferon-α therapy. The disturbances
have persisted for three years despite cessation of interferon and introduction of
antipsychotic treatment. The possibility of severe neuropsychiatric adverse effects
of interferon-α therapy in a susceptible individual may necessitate regular psychiatric
consultations during the treatment.
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Correspondence
W. DrozdzMD
Clinical Neuropsychology Unit
Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun
Collegium Medicum Bydgoszcz
9 Sklodowskiej St.
85-094 Bydgoszcz
Poland
Phone: +48/525/854 36 8
Fax: +48/525/853 70 3
Email: wikdr@cm.umk.pl