Chronic Hepatitis C
Conditions
Keywords
interferon alpha, depression, omega 3
Brief summary
The purpose of the study is to check whether development of depression as a side effect of interferon alpha treatment in chronic carriers of hepatitis C can be prevented by omega-3 fatty acids.
Detailed description
Omega-3 fatty acids are known as an alternative treatment for different conditions, including mental conditions, such as depression. We assume that combining omega-3 with the treatment by interferon alpha may prevent the development of depression, which is quite a common side effect of the interferon alpha.
Interventions
DRUGomega-3 fatty acid
Sponsors
Bnai Zion Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Chronic carriers of hepatitis C who start a course of interferon alpha treatment, and are treated in the liver clinic of Bnai Zion hospital.
Exclusion criteria
* Disagreement to participation in trial. * Diagnosed and active mental illness. * Encephalopathic patients. * Patients with limited ability to understand the questionnaires or the informed consent process.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The effect of omega three fatty acids would be estimated through two questionnaires which filled by the patients monthly | — |
| with the BDI questionnaire which estimates the level of depression of the patient and | — |
| the SF36 questionnaire which provides information about the overall influence of a disease upon a patient's daily life and mental status. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| ALT | — |
| CRP | — |
| Secondary outcome measures include monthly results of biochemical and hematologic blood tests, including levels of: | — |
| WBC | — |
| platelets | — |
| hemoglobin | — |
| albumin | — |
| bilirubin | — |
Countries
Israel
Outcome results
None listed