Psychoneurological symptoms during interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis: prospective study on predictive use of Cornell Medical Index and electroencephalogram

Background/Aims: We assessed the usefulness of the Cornell Medical Index (CMI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) in the prediction and early detection of psychoneurological symptoms associated with interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic viral hepatitis. Methods: Forty-eight consecutive patients received IFN for chronic viral hepatitis for 8–24 weeks. CMI was measured before IFN therapy. Serial EEGs were recorded before IFN therapy, 2, 4 weeks, and thereafter every 4 weeks in the therapy. Results: Psychoneurological symptoms including insomnia, depression, and restlessness were seen in 11 (23%) of 48 patients. Five (13%) of 40 patients with CMI I and II and six (75%) of eight with CMI III developed psychoneurological symptoms (P