Abstract
Aim: Anxiety and depressive disorders are commonly reported comorbidities in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. The burden of living with a chronic illness like hepatitis can significantly impact a person’s mental health. The aim of the study is to explore several key aspects related to anxiety and depression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis in Kazakhstan. Subjects and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 233 patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Socio-demographic data were collected, a comprehensive clinical examination was conducted, including assessment of complaints, clinical parameters, and anamnesis data. Laboratory methods were employed, and the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms was measured using the Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Results: The analysis of the total scores from HADS in patients with chronic viral hepatitis revealed that 32.6 % of patients had subclinical expressed anxiety or depression, while 5.8 % exhibited clinically significant levels of anxiety or depression. The study identified several significant predictors of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients with chronic viral hepatitis are age (p < 0.000), sex (p < 0.015), duration of disease (p < 0.002), aetiology of chronic viral hepatitis (p < 0.030). Conclusion: Integrating the identified predictors into clinical practice allows healthcare providers to improve the early detection and diagnosis of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. This proactive approach not only enhances mental health outcomes but also supports overall disease management and patient well-being.