Anxiety and depression propensities in patients with acute toxic liver injury

AIM:To investigate anxiety and depression propensities in patients with toxic liver injury.METHODS:The subjects were divided into three groups:a healthy control group(Group 1,n=125),an acute non-toxic liver injury group(Group 2,n=124),and a group with acute toxic liver injury group caused by noncommercial herbal preparations(Group 3,n=126).These three groups were compared and evaluated through questionnaire surveys and using the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale(HADS),Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI),Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),and the hypochondriasis scale.RESULTS:The HADS anxiety subscale was 4.9±2.7,5.0±3.0 and 5.6±3.4,in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively.The HADS depression subscale in Group 3 showed the most significant score(5.2±3.2,6.4±3.4 and 7.2±3.4in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2).The BAI and BDI in Group 3showed the most significant score(7.0±6.3 and 6.9±6.9,9.5±8.6 and 8.8±7.3,10.7±7.2 and 11.6±8.5in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(BAI:P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2)(BDI:P<0.01 vs Group1 and 2).Group 3 showed a significantly higher hypochondriasis score(8.2±6.0,11.6±7.5 and 13.1±6.5in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2).CONCLUSION:Psychological factors that present vulnerability to the temptation to use alternative medicines,such as herbs and plant preparations,are important for understanding toxic liver injury.