Chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC) represents a public health problem that affects around 3% of population worldwide. Pegylated Interferon-alpha (PegIFN-α) and Ribavirin (RBV) is the recommended treatment reaching about 40–80% of sustained virological response. However, a common treatment side-effect is induced-depression that impairs patient's quality of life and treatment adherence (1,2). This paper showed polymorphisms in HTR1A, NCR1, TPH2 genes as predictive variables of IFN-induced depression.

396 consecutive, euthymic, CHC outpatients treated with PegIFN-α/RBV were included. Patients were assessed at baseline, 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks of treatment using PHQ and MINI-DSM-IV-R interview to diagnose depression. Survival analysis was performed. in the univariated analysis functions were compared using logrank test. Significative variables (0.1 level) were extracted for the multivariated model, using a Weibull regression model.

The incidence of induced-depression along the treatment was 39.4%. Polimorphisms on HTR1A (P = 0.0104), TPH2 (P = 0.0231) and NRC1 (P = 0.0702) genes predicted IFN-induced depression.

Genes related with serotonine and inflamation system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IFN-induced depression. Knowledge of predictive variables for IFN-induced depression may help to better manage patients at risk.