Title:A Systematic Review on Interferon Alpha-Induced Cognitive Impairment
in Hepatitis C Patients
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Author(s): Pallavi Kaushik, Mohd Ashif Khan*, Nidhi B. Agarwal and Aakriti Garg
Affiliation:
- Centre for Translational & Clinical Research, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
110062, India
Keywords:
Hepatitis C virus, hepatitis C patients, interferon-alpha, IFN-α, neurocognition, cognitive impairment.
Abstract:
Objective: Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is an important treatment modality for the hepatitis
C virus (HCV). However, treatment with IFN-α is often associated with cognitive difficulties in
HCV patients. Thus, this systematic review was performed to assess the effects of IFN-α on cognitive
functioning in patients suffering from HCV.
Methods: Relevant literature was identified by performing a comprehensive literature search in
major databases including PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Central using a combination
of suitable keywords. We retrieved studies that were published from the start of each database until
August 2021.
Results: Out of 210 articles, 73 studies were selected after removing the duplicates. In the first
pass, 60 articles were excluded. Out of 13 full-text articles, only 5 articles qualified for qualitative
analyses in the second pass. We observed conflicting results concerned with the use of IFN-α and
the risk of neurocognitive impairment in HCV patients.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we have observed conflicting results regarding the impact of INF-α
treatment on the cognitive functioning of patients suffering from HCV. Thus, there is an urgent
need for an extensive study to evaluate the exact association between INF-αtherapy and cognitive
functioning in HCV patients.
