Influence of gender on cytokine induced depression and treatment

Abstract Background Cytokine treatment with Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) represents a clinical model of immune associated depression, but it remains unclear if it is of the same entity as major depressive disorder (MDD). The study focuses on possible gender differences in IFN-α induced depression and effects of a pre-emptive antidepressant treatment. Methods Data from 181 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection (cHC) without history of mental illnesses undergoing treatment with IFN-α 2a and ribavirin were re-analyzed for gender effects. Patients with a pre-emptive antidepressant therapy with Escitalopram (n = 90, verum group) to prevent IFN-induced depression were compared to patients who r…