Hu, Ping-JenPing-JenHuYu, Ming-LungMing-LungYuChen, Ming-YaoMing-YaoChenChen, Chi-YiChi-YiChenKuo, Hsing-TaoHsing-TaoKuoHung, Chao-HungChao-HungHungTseng, Kuo-ChihKuo-ChihTsengLai, Hsueh-ChouHsueh-ChouLaiPeng, Cheng-YuanCheng-YuanPengWang, Jing-HoungJing-HoungWangChen, Jyh-JouJyh-JouChenLee, Pei-LunPei-LunLeeChien, Rong-NanRong-NanChienYang, Chi-ChiehChi-ChiehYangLo, Gin-HoGin-HoLoJIA-HORNG KAOCHUN-JEN LIULiu, Chen-HuaChen-HuaLiuYan, Sheng-LeiSheng-LeiYanLin, Chun-YenChun-YenLinSu, Wei-WenWei-WenSuChu, Cheng-HsinCheng-HsinChuChen, Chih-JenChih-JenChenTung, Shui-YiShui-YiTungTai, Chi-MingChi-MingTaiLin, Chih-WenChih-WenLinLo, Ching-ChuChing-ChuLoCheng, Pin-NanPin-NanChengChiu, Yen-ChengYen-ChengChiuWang, Chia-ChiChia-ChiWangCheng, Jin-ShiungJin-ShiungChengTsai, Wei-LunWei-LunTsaiLin, Han-ChiehHan-ChiehLinHuang, Yi-HsiangYi-HsiangHuangYeh, Ming-LunMing-LunYehHuang, Chung-FengChung-FengHuangHuang, Jee-FuJee-FuHuangDai, Chia-YenChia-YenDaiChung, Wan-LongWan-LongChungTsai, Pei-ChienPei-ChienTsaiBair, Ming-JongMing-JongBair2025-08-112025-08-112025-06-09https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/731222Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. However, the impact of interferon (IFN)-based therapy, after achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR), on the long-term risk of depressive disorders remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated the incidence of new-onset depression and the impact of risk factors on patients with chronic hepatitis C following antiviral therapy. Methods: This nationwide, real-world cohort included a total of 5550 patients with HCV infection who received IFN-based therapy between 2003 and 2014. The primary outcome was the incidence of new-onset depressive disorder. The cumulative incidence of depressive disorders was analyzed using Gray's competing risk method, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify independent risk factors. Results: During a mean follow-up of 4.07 years, the incidence of new-onset depression was 18.0 % in patients with SVR and 16.7 % in patients with non-SVR. Achieving SVR did not significantly reduce the risk of depression across the various subgroups. Multivariate analysis identified older age (≥45 years, HR = 1.32, 95 % CI: 1.10-1.57, P = 0.003) and female sex (HR = 1.29, 95 % CI: 1.11-1.49, P = 0.0007) as independent risk factors for depression, but only in patients with SVR. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for long-term psychiatric monitoring in patients with HCV infection after treatment, particularly in high-risk subgroups. Further studies involving direct-acting antiviral-treated cohorts with extended follow-up periods are required to validate these findings.enChronic hepatitis CDepressionInterferonRisk factorsSustained virologic response[SDGs]SDG3journal article10.1016/j.jfma.2025.05.03940494743